60% of drivers face health issues: Ahsania Mission
Around 66% of motor vehicle drivers are suffering from different eye discomforts, the report says
More than 60% of drivers of motor vehicles are suffering from various health issues, the Dhaka Ahsania Mission's Health Sector said in a report released today.
The findings are based on a free health check-up including an eye test campaign on the occasion of "National Road Safety Day-2023" and "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims-2023". The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Dhaka Ahsania Mission jointly organised the campaign from 11 to 23 October last year.
The report said a total of 541 drivers participated in the eye checkup among 824 drivers and around 66% of them are suffering from different eye discomforts.
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Additionally, around 73% of 541 drivers have vision problems and need glasses with specific powers; 4% have cataract problems and 23% have other eye problems like dry eye, allergies, etc. The vision problems have been found mostly in drivers aged 31 to 40 (26%) and 41 to 50 (23%).
Under the health campaign, 824 drivers participated at BRTA training centres in Nikunja and Uttara; Tejgaon Truck Terminal, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, and Saydabad bus terminals, and Cumilla Zilla Shilpakala Academy.
Among 824 drivers, 49% have blood sugar above the limit, 31% suffer from high blood pressure and 17% suffer from both high blood sugar and high blood pressure. Among the 824 drivers, more than 60% are not fully fit for driving.
In Bangladesh Road Transport Act-2018, priority has been given to motor vehicles (motor vehicles fitness, route permit, etc) but road safety issues are absent in the law.
