CI Dhaka West has arranged an awareness event under the name ‘Project Vision’ for the second time. This platform has organized a free eye camp between April 23rd – 24th, 2019 at Sayedabad bus terminal, Jatrabari, Dhaka serving more than 1200+ professional bus drivers, helpers, and workers. Participants went through surveys, eye checkups, consultations with doctors, and were subsequently prescribed treatment. A team consisting of 30 doctors & medical assistants were present from Fashion Eye Hospital, Moghbazar & National Institute of Ophthalmology, Agargaon. They have ensured eye tests, medicines and glasses for the target group. Participants who need eye surgeries also got this fully subsidized service from JCI Dhaka West. 2019 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, Mr. Abdullah Safi said “We are trying to reduce road accidents through this project. If one single bus driver is benefited from this project, it can create a direct impact on thousand lives that are using the public bus system in the city daily.”
According to the Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association (BPWA), 7,221 people have died in road accidents across the country in 2018. Despite last year’s massive nationwide road safety movement, the country has continued to witness a large number of road accidents, 7,397 people lost their lives in 4,979 road accidents throughout Bangladesh in 2017, while another 16,193 were injured. Their data further shows that 6,055 people died and 15,914 were injured in 4,312 crashes in 2016. In 2015, a total of 8,642 people died, and 21,855 people were injured from 6,581 accidents across Bangladesh. Bus drivers are an underserved demographic when it comes to healthcare, particularly regarding vision. JCI Dhaka West created a report by surveying bus drivers and other relevant workers by assessing their vision and eye health, which yielded concerning results. The eye camp was the first intervention and was received very positively at the bus terminal, with drivers lining up for hours to get their eyes checked, commenting that this type of step is necessary as they often do not have access to these services for various reasons.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a worldwide organization of young professionals and leaders between the ages of 18 and 40 who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. The organization is found in over 120 countries and has a membership of 200,000 across the world. Our work is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership skills, social responsi¬bility, fellowship, and entrepreneurship necessary to create positive change. The JCI Headquarters is in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. JCI Dhaka West is a chapter of JCI Dhaka which is a chapter of JCI Bangldesh. Project Vision aims to raise awareness of the importance of vision care through such interventions to reduce road accidents, injuries, and other critical aspects affected by vision issues. It is a signature project of Junior Chamber International Dhaka West.
Sohoz Rides patronized the event (platinum sponsor), Fashion Optics Limited (Gold sponsor), Gazi Tyres (Silver sponsor), BNO (Associate Partner), BRAC (Strategic Partner), Bondstein Technologies Limited (Tracking Partner) & NexParc (Knowledge Partner), SWDP (Volunteer Partner), ICE Today (Magazine Partner) & Radio Foorti (Radio Partner). In the next phases of the project, JCI Dhaka West hopes to create further impact by targeting other underserved demographics where vision plays a vital role.