Duchess of Edinburgh Applauds Nepal’s Eye Care Advancements

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), visited Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) / Kirtipur Eye Hospital during her official tour of Nepal.

During her visit on Wednesday, the Duchess praised Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh’s significant contributions to eye health advancement and its pivotal role in eliminating trachoma from Nepal. She observed the hospital’s medical services and interacted with patients who have benefitted from life-changing treatments. As a strong advocate for blindness prevention, she commended Nepal’s remarkable progress in fighting preventable vision loss and integrating eye care services into the country’s primary healthcare system.

The UK-based Ridley Eye Foundation supports Kirtipur Eye Hospital in conducting free cataract surgery camps in remote, high-altitude regions, making essential eye care services accessible to underserved communities. The Duchess acknowledged these efforts, emphasizing the hospital’s vital role in addressing curable blindness, particularly in challenging environments.

Professor Dr. Chet Raj Pant, Chairperson of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, expressed gratitude for the Duchess’s visit, highlighting the longstanding Nepal-UK collaboration in healthcare. NNJS operates one of the world’s largest eye care networks, with 28 eye hospitals, 160 eye care centers, and 44 district branches. Since its establishment 46 years ago, the organization has provided eye care services to over 43.6 million people and performed 5.1 million surgeries, extending its reach to Nepal’s most remote areas across 67 districts.

During the visit, NNJS General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand, Executive Director Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra, Kirtipur Eye Hospital’s Management Committee Chair Prof. Dr. Sabina Shrestha, and Medical Director Dr. Aric Vaidya briefed the Duchess on the hospital’s services.

The visit symbolized a shared commitment to eliminating preventable blindness and advancing global eye health, reinforcing Nepal’s role in leading vision care initiatives.