A total of 450 underprivileged patients in Durgapur, Netrokona, have regained their eyesight through free cataract surgeries initiated by Barrister Kaiser Kamal, under the directive of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

On Thursday (28 August), the 11th phase of the programme saw 21 more patients undergo surgery at Dr. K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital in Mymensingh. Since 21 July, 11 phases of operations have been completed, covering 218 women and 232 men.

According to local sources, 932 patients had been selected in February during a free medical and eye care camp. Following the first schedule, patients will receive follow-up treatment and glasses as required. Another 481 surgeries are planned in the second schedule.

Kaiser Kamal has borne all expenses, including transport, accommodation, and medicine for the patients. Grateful beneficiaries expressed relief after regaining their sight, while Kamal thanked doctors, nurses, and his party team, vowing to continue the humanitarian initiative.

Dr. Zakia Sultana Neela, Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that during last year’s July-August protests, 11 people lost vision in both eyes and 493 lost sight in one eye due to bullet and pellet injuries.

Testifying on Monday, she stated that between July 17 and August 6, a total of 864 eye injury patients were admitted to the hospital. Among them, 28 are suffering from severe bilateral visual impairment, while 47 have severe vision loss in one eye.

According to her testimony, July 18 and 19 were the bloodiest days, with most victims aged between 14 and 25. Many sustained perforated corneas, ruptured eyeballs, or severe bleeding caused by bullets and metallic pellets.

She further noted that many patients concealed their real identities, using nicknames, fake phone numbers, and false ID cards for safety concerns.

The testimony came during a crimes against humanity trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. So far, 24 out of 81 witnesses have testified.

From September 1, Bangladesh will launch a nationwide free typhoid vaccination campaign under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), targeting nearly 50 million children aged between 9 months and 15 years 11 months 29 days. Each child will receive a single-dose injectable typhoid vaccine.

EPI Program Manager Dr. Abul Fazal Md. Shahabuddin Khan said vaccinations will be carried out in school-based camps during the first 10 working days of September. Children absent from the camps or not attending school will have eight additional days to receive the vaccine at EPI centers.

Registration began on August 1 and will continue until the campaign starts. Children without a birth certificate can register using their parents’ mobile number via https://vaxepi.gov.bd/registration/tcv.

Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the shot will protect children for 3–7 years. According to the WHO, typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium, spreads through contaminated food or water, and can be difficult to distinguish from other fevers in its early stages.