The city of Lahan in eastern Nepal is approximately 800 kilometers away from the home of Mohammed Samim in Bangladesh. However, this distance was not a barrier for him when he learned that eye treatment in Lahan would be of high quality and at an affordable price. Unable to find satisfactory treatment in his own country and various hospitals in India, he decided to come to Lahan, a bustling city in the Madhesh Province. Currently, he is filled with excitement, fueled by a deep belief that Lahan will restore his eyesight. Not only him, but 18 other Bangladeshi nationals have also chosen Lahan with the belief that their eyesight can be restored. Among them are individuals of different age groups, including 17-year-old Samim, who started experiencing clear vision in his left eye after cataract surgery—a success that eluded him in various hospitals in India. This is precisely why Lahan’s Eye Hospital has proven to be a ‘Godsend’ for him and other individuals facing eye-related challenges.
Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye Hospital in Lahan has not only won the hearts of Nepalese but also thousands of Indians. The hospital achieves success in treatments that are not feasible in various hospitals in India. Recognized as the best for eye surgery, not only in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh but worldwide, this hospital is increasingly becoming a pilgrimage site for eye patients from across the globe. Approximately 60 percent of Indian patients seek treatment at this hospital, ranging from basic vision check-ups to complex surgeries available only in the world’s most advanced medical facilities. Moreover, the cost of treatment, which amounts to Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 in Indian hospitals, is only Rs 1200 here. Operated by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, this non-profit hospital makes it possible to deliver quality services at an affordable cost.
In addition to Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye Hospital, Nepal is also the home to the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, renowned worldwide for its specialized eye treatments. Established in 1992 by Dr. Sanduk Ruit, this non-profit, community-based, non-government organization gained global recognition in 2019 when it was designated as a WHO Collaboration Centre of Ophthalmology by the World Health Organization. The institute has earned acclaim for its exceptional services in Cornea, Cataract and IOL, Glaucoma, Oculoplastic, Lacrimal and Ocular Oncology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Vitreo-Retina, Uvea, Neuro-ophthalmology, and Optometry. Notably, it has also gained recognition for producing intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery at an affordable price. The OLS costs less than $4 per lens, a remarkable contrast to the $250 charged in Western countries. While Nepal is often recognized globally for poverty, destitution, scarcity, and dependence on others in various aspects, there are areas where the nation can take pride, and eye treatment is one such area.
With experts like Ruit and hospitals like the one in Lahan and Kathmandu earning the trust of the public, if more such hospitals are built or expanded, Nepal has the potential to become a global center for eye treatment. The growing number of foreign visitors seeking eye treatment not only enhances the reputation of hospital services but also contributes to increased local income. Additionally, financial transactions in the local market rise due to expenditures on accommodation, meals, medicine, and equipment. Hotels and guesthouses also benefit from this influx, representing a positive impact of medical tourism at the local level. Rather than pursuing the impossible, it would be wiser for us to focus on achievable goals. While Nepalis often travel abroad for the treatment of other diseases, we could establish Nepal as the destination for eye treatment. This approach not only provides an opportunity to offer quality services but also positions the country as a hub for ‘medical tourism.’ It is a golden opportunity to convey to the world that tourism can be promoted not only based on education, heritage, nature, and tranquility but also through medical services. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the country to start planning today to fully capitalize on this opportunity.
