KATHMANDU, July 7: The Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) has expanded its free eye care outreach beyond Nepal, organizing its first international eye camp in Cambodia as part of its effort to provide eye care services in countries requesting technical support.
The organization, which has long conducted free eye camps through its network of hospitals and treatment centers in underserved and remote areas of Nepal, said it is now extending similar services abroad. It added that eye camps led by Nepali specialists and health workers have proven highly effective.
NNJS says it aims to establish Nepal as South Asia's leading center for eye care, ophthalmic education, training, and eye health tourism while contributing to the reduction of preventable blindness.
As part of this initiative, the Lumbini Institute of Ophthalmology and Research Center, operated by NNJS, organized a two-day free eye camp in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia, with technical support from the institute and coordination from the Embassy of Nepal in Thailand, which is also accredited to Cambodia.
114 people benefited from free eye surgical camp
Held on July 4 and 5 at Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, the camp provided free eye examinations and treatment to 1,002 Cambodian citizens. According to NNJS Executive Director Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra, the beneficiaries included 641 women and 361 men.
During the camp, 373 patients received free medicines, 407 were provided with prescription glasses, and another 192 received both medicines and spectacles.
Doctors also identified cataracts in 93 patients, who were referred to the local hospital for further treatment.
Nepal's Ambassador to Cambodia, Dhan Bahadur Oli, and Kampong Cham Governor Un Chanda jointly inaugurated the camp.
During the visit, NNJS and Cambodian officials also agreed to facilitate training opportunities and professional exchanges for Cambodian doctors and health workers at the Lumbini Institute of Ophthalmology and Research Center.
A team of eye specialists led by Professor Dr. Sushila Patel, Chief Medical Director of the institute's Shri Ran Ambika Shah Eye Hospital, carried out examinations, treatment, and specialist consultations.
Separately, an NNJS delegation led by General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand held discussions with Cambodia's Ministry of Health, the Kampong Cham provincial government, and other stakeholders on expanding cooperation in eye health services, medical education, technical assistance, capacity building, and institutional partnerships.
The talks also focused on strengthening collaboration between Nepal and Cambodia in public health, ophthalmic care, medical education, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Both sides expressed commitment to deepening institutional cooperation in the health sector.
Chand said such international partnerships would strengthen bilateral ties while advancing NNJS's long term goal of positioning Nepal as a regional hub for quality eye care, medical education, and eye health tourism.
NNJS Vice President and Chairman of Shri Ran Ambika Shah Eye Hospital, Sagar Pratap Rana, said the initiative provides an effective platform to share Nepal's expertise and experience in eye care with the international community.
Hospital Manager Prakash Rayamajhi credited the successful completion of the camp to the support of the Embassy of Nepal, local authorities, Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, health workers, volunteers, and the local community.
The organization said it remains committed to sharing Nepal's achievements, expertise, and management experience in eye health with the international community to help reduce avoidable blindness worldwide.
NNJS added that it will continue promoting quality eye care, medical education, research, and human resource development through similar international collaborations as part of its campaign to establish Nepal as South Asia's leading center for eye treatment and training.
According to the organization, by the end of 2025 it had provided eye care services to more than 50.2 million patients from Nepal and abroad through its network of 28 eye hospitals, 44 district branches, and 226 eye treatment centers. It has also performed more than 5.66 million eye surgeries since its establishment.
