Published: 10:19 AM, 20 April 2026
Orbis CEO urges eye care service expansion for tea garden workers
Orbis International President and Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Sherwin has urged the expansion of eye care services for tea garden workers, one of the most underserved and vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
While visiting Jaflong tea garden and observing house-to-house eye screening activities under the Tea Garden Project at Jaflong in Sylhet on Saturday, she said disparities exist in access to quality eye care services among tea pickers.
"Tea garden workers often remain outside the reach of essential health services, including eye care. Expansion of screening among community members and timely treatments will help prevent avoidable blindness among this vulnerable group and improve their quality of life," Sherwin stated.
During the visit, Sherwin witnessed how trained community health workers are conducting door-to-door screenings, identifying individuals with vision problems, and referring them to appropriate facilities for further diagnosis and treatment. She appreciated the initiative for bringing eye care services directly to the doorsteps of marginalised communities.
Officials from Orbis International Bangladesh Country Office and the project implementation partner Nayan, a voluntary social welfare organisation, were present.
Earlier in the day, Sherwin visited Inclusive Eye Hospital, a partner hospital of Orbis in Sylhet, where she conducted site visits and engaged with doctors and staff on ongoing efforts to strengthen eye care service delivery. Prof Dr AHM Enayet Hussain, former Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Medical University and co-founder of Nayan, welcomed her at Inclusive Eye Hospital.
She also observed outreach activities under the Comprehensive Cataract Services Project (CCSP), the country's largest ongoing cataract services initiative aimed at performing 100,000 cataract surgeries and conduct 1 million eye screenings within a two-year period, focusing on people living in poverty. The project is being implemented across 59 districts.
In addition, the Orbis senior official visited a Women-Led Green Vision Center in Jaintapur, established with support from the Aumund Foundation. This new model, spearheaded by Orbis International, not only promotes gender inclusivity but also incorporates sustainable practices in eye care delivery. She praised the initiative for empowering women while strengthening access to primary eye care.
The visit is part of 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.
