On the contrary, a government hospital performed only six operations in four years.

The NGO, Rangpur Development Social Service (RDSS) treated the eye patients last year under an agreement signed with the SSI.

Under a similar five-year accord with the Health and Family Planning Ministry, the SSI has, so far, provided a 10-bed eye unit, sophisticated microscope, slit lamp, lense, air cooler, renovation of Eye Operation Theatre (EOT) and medicine to Nilphamari 50-bed Modern Hospital at a cost of Tk 5,50,000, according to its Coordinator Md Kamruzzaman. The SSI also trained up concerned surgeons, nurses and other staff and purchased sophisticated surgical instruments, he said.

According to the agreement, the SSI has been providing surgical and treatment facilities in hospitals in Chapai Nawbabganj, Noakhali, Jhalkathi, Gopalganj and Nilphamari.

But because of apathy of eye specialists of the hospital, thousands of patients are being deprived of free treatment facilities provided by the SSI.

Dr Abdul Majid, Medical Officer of the Civil Surgeon's Office here told this correspondent that the eye unit is equipped with sophisticated equipment to perform cataract operation and intracular lense operation. It also provided medicine for surgical patients.

Hundreds of eye patients from the entire district and surrounding areas throng the hospital every day for treatment. But they are returning home untreated due to negligence of the hospital authorities and reluctance of specialists and surgeons. As a result, the noble gesture of the SSI is being foiled. Many patients already became permanently blind and others are about to lose their eye-sight.

Sources in the hospital told this correspondent, only two patients were operated upon last December while three others were operated upon in February this year.

Former eye specialist Dr Shariful Islam took transfer to Rangpur after conducting one month training by the SSI. Incumbent eye specialist and Senior Consultant Dr Md Siddique Hossain is also trying to take transfer to his home district, Rajshahi after taking one month training in Dhaka by the SSI.

When contacted with Dr Siddique, he told this correspondent that attitude is very important for such a job. 'Young and local doctors are fit to do the job,' he added. He suggested for employment of medical officer for a better result. He informed that every week 250-300 eye patients visit him.

During his visit to the hospital on Monday, this correspondent found no eye patient in any bed of the 10-bed unit. Even he saw valuable surgical equipment still remained intact.

Fatema Begum, wife of Nazrul Islam of Kukhapara village in Sadar upazila who is one of the six patients who were operated upon told this correspondent, she had to buy all medicine from stores although she was supposed to get those free from the hospital.