Coinciding with Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck’s birthday on May 21, the Bhutan-Essilor partnership was launched.
On her 89th birthday, Her Majesty presented eyeglasses to Bhutanese citizens as part of the ceremony. Through her Majesty’s efforts, Essilor International has pledged to donate about 400,000 pairs of glasses for Bhutanese in two years time.
The health ministry is currently conducting a school screening program. Eyeglasses will be distributed through hospitals, to reduce poor vision in the country.
“We want to make Bhutan poor vision free in about two to three years time which means every individual of Bhutan will get their eyes tested as well as everybody who needs a pair of glasses will be given a pair of glasses, free,” Saugata Banerjee, the Vice President of Essilor, said.
“This is being done in collaboration with the health ministry and with the blessings of the Royal Palace. As of now, we have already supplied about 10,000 spectacles, which is basically for the school children”
Essilor International is a French-based international company that manufacturers eyeglasses.