Roundtable held to strengthen response to diabetic retinopathy  | News

The National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH), in collaboration with Roche Bangladesh, organized the event on September 28 at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel with participation from policymakers, health professionals, international NGOs and private sector representatives. During the discussion, experts emphasized that diabetic retinopathy, a major complication of diabetes has emerged as one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Bangladesh. They noted that the rising prevalence of diabetes has significantly increased the burden of DR, particularly due to low awareness, limited screening programs and gaps in healthcare system preparedness. Speakers called for greater policy attention, innovative solutions, and task shifting strategies to expand access to early detection and treatment services. They also...