Retinopathy of prematurity campaign in Bangladesh: Experience and lessons learnt

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a potentially avoidable cause of irreversible blindness or severe visual impairment in many infants born premature. The global incidence of premature birth has been reported to be 11.1 per 100 livebirths in 2010. The present communication share the experience and lessons learnt during a Neonatologist-Ophthalmologist Retinopathy of Prematurity (NO-ROP) campaign and ROP situation analysis in Bangladesh. A weeklong workshop was organised in May 2016 in Dhaka for the paediatricians and ophthalmologists of the country involved in ROP care. This included a programme to train the attendees on basic to advanced ROP care. Finally, a half day session was organised for the government stakeholders, non government organisations, obstetricians, neonatal and child health care providers and ophthalmologists to assess the level of awareness, the gaps and any obstacles for an effective ROP care in the country. Besides, two neonatal units were visited to assess the ROP situation at district levels in Bangladesh. The observations were documented and recommendations suggested. The awareness and resource availability for ROP care was disproportionately less compared to the demand even in Dhaka. At the district levels, the ROP care mostly did not exist. However, the eagerness to help, support and bridge the gaps was tremendous both among the government and non government organisations. There is an urgent need to strengthen and expand the existing ROP services in Dhaka as well as at the district levels. The observations made and lessons learnt could go a long way in combating ROP blindness in Bangladesh and in other developing countries. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2019; 45: 122-125