Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has partnered with Helen Keller International to provide comprehensive eye care services to the country’s garment workers.

Helen Keller International is a global organisation dedicated to preventing blindness and promoting eye health.

In an inception workshop held at the BGMEA Complex on Saturday, the representatives from both BGMEA and Helen Keller International expressed their commitment to implement the eye care initiative, according to a press release.

The focus of this partnership is on providing primary eye care services, including basic eye examinations, prescription glasses, and referrals for more complex eye disorders.

An essential aspect of this collaboration is also the assessment of the impact of improved eye health on workers’ productivity, it stated.

Speaking at the meeting, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan lauded the collaboration, emphasising its potential to significantly enhance the eye health of the garment workers.

He stated, “Providing eye care services to garment workers is not only a matter of ensuring their physical well-being but also contributes to workplace productivity, safety, and overall job satisfaction.”

Country Director of Helen Keller International in Bangladesh Hasina Akhter highlighted the importance of the eye care initiative. She said improved vision and eye health directly contribute to increased productivity and better quality of work.

BGMEA vice president Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, Director in Charge of Health Projects at BGMEA Neela Hosna Ara, Chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on Sustainability Sheikh H.M. Mustafiz, and Chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Wasim Zakariah were also present on the occasion.

The meeting was also attended, among others, by OSB Hospital director Prof Ava Hossain, OSB Secretary General Prof Dipak Nag, Country Director of Orbis International Dr. Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Sightsavers Amrita Rejina Rozario, Country Director of VisionSpring Misha Mehjabeen, Country Director of Nutrition International Saiqa Siraj, Country Director of GAIN Dr Rudaba Khondker, Founder of KHEA Foundation Prof Nahid Ferdousi, and Head of Nutrition and Health at Hellen Keller Dr Afsana Habib Sheuly.

Earlier, Helen Keller International and BGMEA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide eye care services to garment workers.