Over 400 thousand people benefit from free eye treatment in one year, thanks to NNJS

Kathmandu, March 26: More than 400 thousand eye patients received free treatment in one year through the network of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS).

Through its nationwide network of 28 eye hospitals, 226 eye care centres, and various outreach programmes, a total of 454 thousand and 942 eye patients received free treatment in 2025.

According to NNJS Executive Director Dr Sailesh Kumar Mishra, these services were made possible through the support of various national and international development partners, as well as internal resources of the hospitals. He stated that in 2025, a total of 3 million 378 thousand and 42 patients underwent eye examinations through the NNJS network, and 266 thousand and 401 patients received surgical treatment.

Dr Mishra further added that during this period, 25 thousand and 565 patients also received free surgeries through hospitals, eye care centers, and outreach programs operated by the organization.

In line with the responsibility and directive from the Government of Nepal to deliver eye care services to every household, NNJS has been playing a leading role in providing accessible, affordable, and quality eye care services—from remote Himalayan villages to the plains of the Tarai, from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west. This has been achieved through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and staff, in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, along with the support of development partners, provincial and local governments, local communities, and donors.

Over 900,000 foreign nationals came to Nepal for eye treatment in one year

According to NNJS Secretary General Bharat Bahadur Chand, the quality services provided by hospitals under NNJS have attracted patients from neighbouring countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

In 2025 alone, 911 thousand and 980 foreign nationals received eye examinations through the NNJS network, and 153 thousand and 86 patients underwent surgical procedures, of which approximately 95 per cent were Indian citizens.

“This data clearly shows that due to the availability of high-quality eye care services in Nepal, the number of foreign nationals coming to Nepal for treatment is continuously increasing,” said Secretary General Chand. 

“Our priority now is to expand access to quality eye care services for Nepali citizens while also developing Nepal as a major destination for eye care tourism. For this, we are working in collaboration with the Government of Nepal to effectively implement long-term plans and programs.”

NNJS Chairman Prof Dr Chet Raj Pant stated that although significant progress has been made in eye care services in Nepal, many people are still deprived of treatment due to a lack of awareness.

“The RAAB survey conducted across all seven provinces of Nepal in 2021 also showed that a large number of people are deprived of eye care services due to lack of awareness. Therefore, collective efforts are needed to raise awareness about eye health,” he said.

Established as a non-governmental organization on Chaitra 13, 2035 B.S. (1978 A.D.), NNJS has completed 47 years and entered its 48th year of service. On the occasion of the 48th NNJS Day, the organization has stated that it will prioritize improving service quality, strengthening services through the use of technology, and expanding awareness at the community level.

Prof. Dr. Pant further stated that NNJS is committed to expanding the scope of eye care services and intensifying efforts to reduce blindness. “Currently, the prevalence of blindness in Nepal is 0.28 percent, and we are working to reduce it to 0.20 percent by 2030.”

The organization has also emphasized accelerating programmes aimed at reducing preventable blindness, expanding timely access to screening and treatment, and targeting children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

Since its establishment until the end of 2025, NNJS has provided eye care services to a total of 50,204,489 patients from Nepal and other countries, and has performed five million 659 thousand and 624 eye surgeries.(RSS)