Nearly 1,000 disadvantaged people from the Bhashantek, Korail and Sat Tola slum communities in the capital received free eye care, medical consultations and other healthcare services at a daylong programme on Saturday.

The healthcare initiative was organised to provide essential treatment to people from low-income communities who often face financial barriers to accessing medical services.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.

The programme provided medical support to people of different ages, with women, men and children receiving free eye examinations, consultations and advice from doctors on necessary treatment.

Patients were also provided with medicines and spectacles based on medical recommendations. Doctors identified patients suffering from cataracts and other serious vision-related conditions, and arrangements were made for free cataract surgery for those requiring the procedure.

Organisers said many people living in low-income communities are unable to seek timely treatment for eye-related illnesses because of financial difficulties. Cataract patients and people experiencing vision problems are particularly vulnerable to delayed treatment, they said.

The organisers said the initiative was undertaken to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent disadvantaged people from receiving essential eye treatment and other necessary healthcare services.

The programme was attended by BNP Standing Committee member and Executive Director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Professor Farhad Halim Donar, Foundation Director (Programme) and orthopedic surgeon Professor Shah Mohammad Aman Ullah, Director (Programme) Engineer Md Mahbub Alam, Director (Programme) agriculturist Dr Khandaker Mahfuzul Haque Bachchu, Director Engineer AKM Zahirul Islam, lifetime member Rezaur Rahman Chowdhury Sumon, Dr Saeed Mehebub Kadir and Sohel Ahmed.

Doctors, foundation officials and volunteers were also present and contributed to the delivery of medical services throughout the day.

The organisers said the Ziaur Rahman Foundation plans to continue providing healthcare assistance and other humanitarian services to disadvantaged people as part of its wider public welfare activities.

Local residents and patients who benefited from the programme expressed their appreciation to the organisers, saying the initiative provided valuable medical support to people who often struggle to afford basic healthcare.