Saiful Islam, a bus driver with 32 years of experience, came to Mohakhali bus terminal for a health check-up.
“I’ve had eye problems for a long time, watering and itching, but I thought it was just because of dust, so I never visited a doctor,” he said.
Tests at the medical camp revealed he had poor eyesight and needed spectacles. “I also didn’t know I had high blood pressure and a blood sugar level of 17,” he added.
Saiful’s case reflects the condition of 70–75% of drivers in the country. Around 60% of those with health problems are unaware of their illnesses, according to findings from health camps held in five locations across Dhaka, where 1,000 drivers were tested.
The risk of road accidents in Bangladesh is rising due to poor eyesight among drivers. In just the first six months of this year, 3,039 road accidents claimed 2,943 lives and left 3,578 people injured. Experts and passengers blame driver incompetence and untreated illnesses for many of these tragedies.
In an effort to address the problem, a free medical camp tested 1,000 drivers from July 29 to 31. The event was organized by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority and the Road Transport and Highways Department, with healthcare support from BIRDEM Hospital, the National Heart Foundation, the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Drishti Unnayan Sangstha, Vision Spring, and Al Noor Hospital. Free glasses were provided to those with vision problems.
The camp, held at five locations in Dhaka, including the BRTC Tejgaon Training Institute, Tejgaon Truck Terminal, Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Gabtoli, revealed that 70–75% of drivers had eye problems, and about 60% of them were unaware of their condition. Twenty to twenty-five drivers were diagnosed with cataracts, while others suffered from night blindness, glaucoma, and related issues. Many were also found to have diabetes and high blood pressure.
“Various studies show that one-third of road accidents occur due to drivers’ health problems,” said Professor Dr. Md. Shaheen Reza Chowdhury, Founder and Executive Director of Drishti Unnayan Sangstha. “It is essential to prioritize the health of drivers if we want to reduce accidents.”
Data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) underscores the urgency: between January and June this year, the country witnessed more than 3,000 road accidents.
Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, warned, “Driver illness and poor eyesight are major factors behind road accidents. Without regular health check-ups, preventable tragedies will continue to claim lives.”
Translated by Afsar Munna
