Presidential Address

Respected all,
Greetings and Namaste

At the outset, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of Nepal Ophthalmic Society, entrusting me to lead our society as the President; and congratulate the newly elected Executive Committee Members. This honor reflects not just my journey but the collective strength, trust, and commitment of each one of you toward advancing eye care and ophthalmology in Nepal.

NOS has completed 39 years and has 508 members. We already have different sub-specialty societies – Vitreo-retina, Cornea-Cataract & Refractive surgery, Oculoplasty, Glaucoma, Pediatric ophthalmology and Strabismus, Young Ophthalmologists Societies; in addition to Women in Ophthalmology and the Eastern chapter.

The main objective of our Society is to safeguard the rights of the ophthalmologists and the welfare & capacity building of the ophthalmologists. I’ll always work on these.

As we embark on this new chapter, I am fully committed to fostering unity, innovation, and growth within our Society. Our priorities will include advancing education and training, promoting research and technology, enhancing collaboration within and beyond borders, and ensuring access to quality eye care for all Nepalese. Quality eye care is of utmost priority for the society and hence scientific knowledge exchange at the national and international level; and treatment protocols development, Conferences, CME, surgical skill transfer, research methodology and leadership trainings are part of NOS activities. These will lead to the capacity building of the Ophthalmologists. We shall work for achieving the goals of SDG.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge the significant contributions made by our Past Executive Committees, & the life members of the NOS towards the growth of our Society and inspired us.

My task would be to unite all the ophthalmologists and have a collective voice. I invite all members to share their ideas, feedback, and aspirations as we work together toward a brighter future. I would always listen to what our members have to say, specifically Dr Raba Thapa, Dr Rakshya Pant, Dr Suresh Rasaily, Dr Amit K Yadav and Dr Saman Shrestha. Cordial relationship, communication, advocacy, dedication and hard work are the motto of our society. I am confident that with the support and active role of all the executives and the NOS members, we will achieve our goals and dreams. Let us continue to illuminate lives, one vision at a time.

After completing my MD Ophthalmology from BPKLCOS, TUTH, I started my career from Mechi Eye Hospital and still working here; and has been 19 years. I would like to thank BPKLCOS team; and the management team and the staff of Mechi Eye Hospital, for providing me the platform to serve the needy people and train the ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic assistants and eye health workers for quality eye care. I wholeheartedly appreciate the Mechi Eye Hospital team, who had to endure the extra work during my busy schedule.

At this moment of joy and pride, I’d like remember my dear friends Dr Bhuwan Govinda Shrestha (popularly known Dr BG), and Dr Poojyashree Karki; who would have been happier than me. I miss them.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank my octogenarian parents Shiva Chandra and Urmila, my wife Dr Rinku Gautam Joshi and my sons Aarya Chandra & Aarnav for understanding me in the missed occasions; and their unwavering support and faith in me.