KATHMANDU: The Bharatpur Eye Hospital, operated by the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, is expanding its network of treatment centers across Chitwan and neighboring districts. The hospital currently provides services through 25 locations and is preparing to open two additional centers in October.

The hospital operates secondary eye hospitals, surgical centers, and treatment units across several districts, including Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Sarlahi, Dhading, Mahottari, Bara, and Tanahun. According to Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Chairman Jayaram Shrestha, new centers are scheduled to open in Haripurwa of Sarlahi and Bulingtar of Nawalparasi.

In the last fiscal year, the hospital served a total of 334,941 patients, including 292,671 outpatients and 42,270 individuals through medical camps. During the same period, 11,693 eye surgeries were performed. The hospital has the capacity to serve a population of approximately 2.6 million people in Chitwan and surrounding districts.

Senior Hospital Administrator Dayashankar Chaudhary stated that the institution is committed to reducing blindness in Nepal by providing high-quality, accessible, and timely eye care. The hospital currently employs 167 staff members, including 11 ophthalmologists. Beyond clinical treatment, the facility is involved in eye health education, training, research, and community outreach programs.

Chairman Shrestha noted that the expansion has been supported by local governments, the federal and provincial governments, and various donor organizations. Key contributors include the embassies of Pakistan and India, Lions Club, Sewa Foundation, CureBlindness, the Ruit Foundation, and various banking and financial institutions. These partnerships have been instrumental in maintaining service quality and expanding reach.