President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orbis International Kathleen Sherwin on Wednesday called for stepping up efforts to build a well-trained workforce for strengthening eye care services in Bangladesh.
She made the call while addressing a ceremony organised to distribute certificates among for nurse trainees at the Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital (IIEI&H).
The ceremony marked the end of a three-day training programme conducted under Orbis’s Comprehensive Cataract Services Project under Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative.
IIEI&H Adviser Zahida Ispahani and CEO Brig Gen (retd) AKM Akhtaruzzaman, Orbis International’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Mark White and Orbis Country Director for Bangladesh Dr Munir Ahmed also attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Kathleen Sherwin praised the role of nursing professionals and underscored the importance of continuous professional development in improving the quality of patient care.
“Skilled nurses are at the heart of effective eye care delivery. Investment in their training not only enhances surgical outcomes but also ensures compassionate, patient-centred care,” she said.
Reiterating Orbis’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in addressing the problem of avoidable blindness, Kathleen Sherwin said Bangladesh needs capacity building, innovation, and stronger partnerships.
She also held a meeting with its top management where she reviewed the ongoing Orbis-IIEI&H collaboration and talked about ways to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service quality, and expand access to advanced eye care.
Earlier, the top Orbis executive visited the Bangladesh Medical University, where she observed ongoing initiatives aimed at advancing specialised eye care services, including efforts related to the management of complex conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
She interacted with senior healthcare professionals and discussed opportunities to further enhance training, research, and service delivery at BMU.
BMU Neonatology Department Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Mannan and Ophthalmology Department Chairman Dr Syed Abdul Wadud were present, among others, during the visit.
This visit was part of Kathleen Sherwin’s broader trip to Bangladesh aimed at reviewing Orbis’s programmes, engaging with partners, and exploring opportunities to further strengthen eye health systems in the country.
Orbis International has been working in Bangladesh for over four decades, supporting initiatives to prevent avoidable blindness, restore sight, and build sustainable eye care systems that benefit millions.