Sight First (Community Based Eye Health Camp)

The Rotary Club of Dillibazar, in collaboration with Chandragiri Municipality,
Matrika Eye Center, Kalibhakta-Krishna, GMPT Foundation, and Sahaj
Foundation, conducted a one-day “Orientation on Eye Health” for community
school teachers and nurses of Chandragiri Municipality. The event, part of
Rotary’s community service project Dristi Pahila (Sight First), trained 46
participants, including 22 school health teachers, 8 school nurses, and 16
community health nurses, with technical guidance from Matrika Eye Center
experts.
The program was inaugurated by Mayor Ghanashyam Giriand and chaired by the
RC Dillibazar President Rtn. Prem Kumar Oli.
Service Project Director Rtn. Dr. Hari Banskota highlighted the importance of
school eye health and the role of local government and civil society organizations
like Rotary International in promoting vision care.
In the first phase, trained teachers, supported by school and community health
nurses, will screen students in 22 community schools, reaching approximately
12,000 children. Those identified with potential vision issues will be referred for
comprehensive eye examinations in the second phase, led by Matrika Eye
Center’s optometrists and ophthalmologists.
With national data showing 8–9% of schoolchildren have refractive errors in
Nepal, this initiative is expected to help nearly 1,000 children in Chandragiri
Municipality access timely treatment, improving their vision, learning outcomes,
and overall well-being.