"Thanks to the Chinese doctors, I feel better than before. Now I can see everything clearly," Mokbul Hossain, a Bangladeshi cataract patient told Xinhua on Friday.

Mokbul received the free treatment from Chinese ophthalmic doctors on Tuesday under the China-Bangladesh Friendship and Brightness (Ophthalmic) Trip program, which now lets him see the world clearly again.

The program, which concluded on Thursday, was declared in a joint statement by the Chinese government and the Bangladeshi government during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to China in March this year.

The statement said the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Bangladesh- China People's Friendship Association (BCPFA) will jointly host the China-Bangladesh Friendship and Brightness (Ophthalmic) Trip program.

Under this program, a team of Chinese medical experts from Beijing Tongren Hospital arrived at Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka on Monday and offered free surgeries to 100 Bangladeshi cataract patients on Tuesday and Wednesday at Islamic Eye Hospital.

The Chinese doctors' medical skills and morality was highly appreciated by the patients.

Aminul Islam, a cataract patient who was waiting for the surgery, told Xinhua on Tuesday that he was not afraid of the surgery at all.

He said "I know that the Chinese doctors are experts, so I think they will do their job very well."

Rahima Liza, who received cataract surgery on the same day, said, "I think that I have got the best treatment from the Chinese doctors. I hope I will recover soon. I believe that I can see again."

Wang Shaoli, a Chinese ophthalmic expert, told Xinhua on Tuesday that "on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh, we visit Dhaka to offer treatment to Bangladeshi cataract patients. On the other hand, we can share and exchange medical skills with the Bangladeshi doctors."

The BCPFA held a ceremony to mark the successful ending of the Brightness Trip program on Thursday.

Anwarul Amin, president of BCPFA, said the Chinese doctors brought light to the Bangladeshi cataract patients so they can see their dear and near ones again.

Chen Haosu, president of CPAFFC who led a delegation to Bangladesh, said at the ceremony that for many years the CPAFFC has maintained close relations with the Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association. Both sides have done a lot to develop the bilateral friendship, he said.

"The Brightness Trip is an ophthalmic treatment activity for people of our friendly neighbors. Actually Bangladesh is the fifth country where we have conducted this tour. Just like in previous four countries, this tour has gained a great success, thanks to the cooperation and joint efforts of various parts."

The Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, also appreciated the Chinese doctors' efforts to bring light to the Bangladeshi patients.

He said "Although we have looked at it as if light was brought in eyes. But actually, light was brought in the heart."

At the end of the ceremony, Chen Haosu along with Muhammad Faruk Khan unveiled eyepatches of Mokbul and another patient to indicate the successful ending of the Brightness Trip program.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2010)