Free eye checkups for drivers at JCI camp

Junior Chamber International (JCI) has organised the second instalment of “Project Vision” and provided free eye tests to over 1,000 drivers, says a press release.

Shohoz, a ride-sharing company in Bangladesh, was a partner in this charitable cause. Its riders got a priority lane for the test. The free eye checkup took place at a bus station on April 23-24 from 9am to 3pm.

Specialists from the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital provided the free treatment. The drivers with basic vision problems will get free glasses. For severe cases, patients will be treated at the hospital for free.

Maliha Quadir, founder and managing director of Shohoz, said, “Road accidents occur very frequently in Bangladesh. We hope to improve the quality of drivers’ lives, leading to safer roads for all in the country.”

“This campaign will also help detect serious health-related problems like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and even risks of cancer. At Shohoz, we believe these are critical issues that need to be addressed for safer roads,” she added.

JCI has conducted a field survey of more than 400 bus drivers, passengers and eye specialists, and professionals working with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The results revealed that, approximately, 95 percent of drivers have eye issues as they usually work for over 12 hours daily. People who drive for long hours, with impaired vision, pose a threat to themselves and others on roads.

To minimise these risks, Shohoz has already distributed free helmets and conducted a number of awareness programmes.

The aim of “Project Vision” was to raise awareness about the importance of vision fitness of drivers. As a result, JCI Dhaka West had devised a plan to address this gap in awareness, engaged in conversation with stakeholders to ensure proper vision fitness of bus drivers and developed a sustainable solution to traffic chaos.

The partners of JCI were Shohoz, United Nations, BRTA and Dhaka Metropolitan Police.