A gift of sight

For the last three years, retiree Khairul Bashar Khan has been working to bring light back to poor cataract patients in Rajbari and its adjoining areas.

Khairul started the mission in 2014.  He made a decision of utilising zakat by investing the fund for the treatment of poor patients with cataracts, a leading cause of blindness.

A total of 234 patients have regained their eyesight under the generous programme till now.

The cataract operations are performed in two to three batches at Maleka Eye Hospital in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur every year. Each batch is usually comprised of some 10 patients.

The first batch of this year had their cataracts removed in March. The next batch will get their free treatment in the upcoming Ramadan.

When asked about the idea behind the initiative, Khairul, also a freedom fighter, said, “As a child, I learnt that love for humanity is the greatest asset any one can have. That is why I joined the Liberation War and went on to serve with the Bangladesh Ansars. Before I retired in 2017, I began to think about what else I might do to serve our society. I made a plan to help patients from poor families who are suffering from cataracts.”

“I believe sight is the greatest gift given to the mankind. So, I decided to help people save and regain their eyesight,” he added.

“I discussed the idea with my son-in-law Khan Shamim Ahmed, who works as an accountant in a consultancy firm in Dhaka. He encouraged me and also helped me,” Khairul said.

“Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss especially in older people. But, nowadays, we are also getting cases of childhood or infantile cataracts. We had a 10-year-old boy named Hridoy who had infantile cataracts. We took him to Islami Eye Hospital in Dhaka for cataract surgery in 2017.”

Hridoy's father Abdul Farid Sheikh, a farmer of Khord Magchami village in Rajbari's Baliakandi upazila, said, “Khairul Bashar Khan funded the surgery. My son can clearly see now. I will never forget his contribution to our lives.”

Another patient, Profullo Kumar Shil, 70, of Tarapur village, said, “I had to suffer for several months with cataracts as I did not have money for my surgery. But, the Maleka Eye Hospital authorities informed me about Khairul's project and I contacted him and had my free operation done in July 2016.”

“I can see the beautiful world  again and do not have to live at the mercy of somebody, thanks to Khairul Bashar Khan,” an overjoyed Profullo said.

A widow and mother of three who supports her family by working as a domestic help at different houses in Paikkandi village, Sajada Begum, 45, said, “I was about to lose my eyesight, until I met Khairul. He arranged for my cataract surgery in 2014. I have got my eyesight as well as my life back.”

A single cataract operation costs Tk 7,000 at Maleka Hospital now. Khan pays Tk 4,000 while the rest is given from the Maleka Eye Hospital's fund in recognition of his contribution.

Initially, he had to provide the whole amount. He started with three patients and Tk 20,000 which he saved for Zakat in 2014. But soon, the hospital authorities got associated with the noble cause.

Public Relations Officer Ataur Rahman of the hospital said, “Khairul is doing a great work. He works for the poor. He has hung a poster at our hospital with his mobile number, so that patients in dire economic circumstances can contact him. We also refer poor patients to him.”

Khairul said, “I always leave my phone on for new patients to call me. I hope to create a fund so that people can find assistance even after my death.”

Khairul, aged around 60, of Rajbari's Khord Magchami village, joined Bangladesh Army as a soldier in 1975, but left the job two years later. In 1980, he joined Bangladesh Ansar and VDP as an Upazila Ansar and VDP officer and retired in 2017.

Khairul has received many awards inducing Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal and Mother Teresa Gold Medal.