Kathmandu, February 5
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, a member of the British Royal Family and Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), visited Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh/Kirtipur Eye Hospital as part of her official trip to Nepal.
During her visit on Wednesday, she highlighted Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh’s contributions to eye health and its role in eliminating trachoma from Nepal. She observed the hospital’s medical services, interacted with patients, and praised Nepal’s progress in combating preventable blindness by integrating eye care services into the primary health system.
Supported by the UK-based Ridley Eye Foundation, Kirtipur Eye Hospital conducts free cataract surgeries in remote, high-altitude regions. The Duchess commended these efforts, recognizing the hospital’s vital role in addressing curable blindness.
Professor Dr Chet Raj Pant, Chairperson of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, expressed gratitude for her visit, highlighting Nepal-UK collaboration in eye care. The organization operates 28 eye hospitals, 160 centers, and 44 district branches, serving 43.6 million people and conducting 5.1 million surgeries in 46 years.
The visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to eliminating preventable blindness and advancing global eye health, officials said.
