Overview

Sagarmatha Choudhary Eye Hospital (SCEH) is a highly reputed non-profit hospital based in Lahan, Siraha District, in southeastern Nepal. Founded in 1983, the hospital is a cornerstone of the Eastern Regional Eye Care Programme (EREC-P). It is globally recognized for its high-volume, high-quality, low-cost eye surgeries and is a model for sustainable healthcare in resource-limited settings.

Founding and Mission

SCEH was established through a collaboration between:

• Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) – the umbrella organization for eye hospitals in Nepal

• The local Chaudhary family

• Dr. Albrecht Hennig, a German ophthalmologist with a vision to eliminate avoidable blindness

 Mission

“To provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality eye care services to the people of Nepal and neighboring regions of India, particularly to the economically disadvantaged.”

The hospital initially started with only 12 beds and has grown exponentially over the past four decades.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Today, SCEH includes:

• Over 300 beds

• Multiple operating theatres

• Advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment

• A skilled workforce of ophthalmologists, nurses, optometrists, and support staff

• Satellite centers and community outreach units for rural access

Key Services Offered

SCEH delivers a comprehensive suite of eye care services:

General and Specialized Eye Care

• Routine eye checkups

• Pediatric ophthalmology

• Treatment of eye infections, injuries, and allergies

Surgical Specialties

• Cataract Surgery:

  • Known for high-efficiency surgical techniques like the Fishhook technique

  • Surgeons can perform 60–100 cataract surgeries per day

  • Cost as low as NPR 1,200 (~$10) per eye for disadvantaged patients

• Glaucoma and retinal surgeries

• Corneal transplants

• Oculoplastics and trauma care

ENT Services

• SCEH has expanded its care model to include ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services under the same facility.

Training and Academic Programs

SCEH is a leading ophthalmic education center in South Asia. It trains hundreds of professionals annually through:

• Postgraduate MD programs in ophthalmology

• Fellowships in retina, cornea, and anterior segment

• Bachelor’s degrees in Optometry and Vision Science

• Diploma programs for ophthalmic assistants and paramedics

The training programs are recognized nationally and internationally, contributing to the global fight against blindness.

Research and Innovation

SCEH is involved in clinical research and innovation, collaborating with global institutions. Key focuses include:

• Affordable surgical innovations

• Outcomes-based research on blindness prevention

• Technological adoption for low-cost eye care

The hospital is often featured in global health journals and case studies, especially for its cost-effective cataract surgeries.

Community Outreach

SCEH reaches the rural and underserved population through:

• Mobile eye camps

• School screenings

• Public education on eye health

• Vision restoration programs for the elderly and poor

Its outreach network helps diagnose and treat thousands of patients every year who otherwise lack access to medical services.

Cross-Border Impact

Due to its proximity to the Indian border, SCEH treats a significant number of patients from:

• Bihar

• Uttar Pradesh

• Other neighboring Indian states

Its reputation has turned it into a cross-border medical tourism destination for affordable eye surgeries.

Recognition and Impact

• Over 2.3 million surgeries performed to date

• 15 million+ outpatient consultations

• Model hospital studied by WHO, SightSavers, Fred Hollows Foundation, and others

• Proven ability to combine scale, quality, and affordability

Location and Contact Information

• Address: Lahan-3, Siraha District, Province No. 2, Nepal

• Phone: +977 33-563080 / +977 33-563402

• Email: sceh@erec-p.org

• Website: leecs.org

Visiting Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

• Sunday: 7:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Interesting Trivia

• SCEH is one of the most productive eye hospitals in the world in terms of surgical output per surgeon.

• Its Fishhook technique has revolutionized low-cost cataract surgery worldwide.

• The hospital’s model has been replicated in Africa and Southeast Asia as a gold standard for sustainable eye care.