Introduction

B.P. Eye Foundation (BPEF), established in 1991, is a Nepalese national non-governmental organization, formally registered with appropriate national authorities. It works in the area of Health, Education, and
Empowerment of people with disabilities. In its early years, the Foundation focused on expanding and improving the quality of eye care services through the training of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists.
Otolaryngology, dental, and rehabilitation treatments have now been added to the hospitals list of services.

History in the making

During its early years, the Foundation directed its resources towards expanding and enhancing the quality of eye care services in Nepal. At that time, only a handful of ophthalmologists and optometrists were
available in the country. To address this issue, the Foundation established the B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, a Centre of Excellence for Human Resource Development, in collaboration with the
Institute of Medicine at Tribhuvan University. This initiative was supported by grants from Lions Sight First. Graduates of this program are trained using an innovative curriculum that aims to produce skilled,
comprehensive, and compassionate ophthalmologists. In the late 1980s and 1990s, the Foundation partner was the only training center of its kind in Nepal. Today, however, there are more than half a dozen such centers throughout the country. This is a testament to the Foundation mission of innovation, advocacy, and scalability.

Assessing the present

In recent years the foundation’s focus has shifted to children’s health, with sensory impairment as an entry point, and it has successfully established a Hospital for Children, Eye, ENT, and Rehabilitation Services (CHEERS) in Bhaktapur. CHEERS started providing clinical and rehabilitative services in December 2012, and so far has shown promising results in terms of screening disabilities, key actor training, treatment of
treatable disabling conditions, and enabling 26 blind children between the ages of 3 to 6 years to integrate into normal governmental schools through rehabilitation for the first time in the country, opening the doors to early childhood development which had remained closed hitherto.

The B.P.Eye Foundation has embarked on its third project in 2021, establishing the Purvanchal ENT, Eye and Rehabilitation Center (PEERS) in Ratuwamai, Morang, and launching Mini-CHEERS in Adarshakotwali, Bara. To achieve this, we have redefined our goals, mission, vision, and strategy, transforming CHEERS and other centers into a distinctive and innovative healthcare model that adopts a proactive, holistic, people- centric, and inclusive approach. Our strategy employs health as the entry
point and education as the door opener for poverty reduction, equity, and social inclusion. Our work encompasses strengthening healthcare systems, empowering people in remote and underserved communities, advocating for the rights of people with neurosensory disabilities, and engaging with policymakers at the country level. Through our game- changing programs and research, we strive to find solutions to help people affected by disabilities.