Sada-e-Watan Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Dr. Rubina Gillani
(Report Prepared by Penny Tribe exclusively for Sada-e-Watan Sydney)
PAKISTAN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT EYE CARE PROGRAM
Statistics 160million population
4 provinces, 112 districts: average population per district 1.3million
80% of health services in cities, only 20% in villages
2.4million people are bilaterally blind
2.44% of population is blind in one eye
Main causes of blindness
Cataract, corneal scarring, uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma and emerging cases of diabetic retinopathy
The Fred Hollows Foundation was established in Pakistan in 1998. The Foundation has developed a comprehensive approach to eye health care. It works to cover all level of public eye health services and provides support to eye units and eye health personnel at provincial, district and rural levels. For just $25, sight can be restored to one person in Pakistan!.
Achievements
Established eye care clinics in 26 districts
Trained 110 ophthalmologists in modern cataract surgery
Provided eye care equipment to 110 ophthalmologists
Provided management training to 20 district ophthalmologists
Provided free Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) to low income patients
Trained paramedics in all districts and Lady Health Workers
Future needs
Maintain human resource development
Monitor and work to alleviate childhood blindness
Provide assistance to patients with refractive errors
Address subspecialties including diabetes related blindness, trachoma, glaucoma
Abdul Karim
waits to be registered and examined at a microsurgical clinic
across the Peshawar border near Baluchistan, Pakistan 2002
Photo courtesy of Jacky Ghossein
OCTOBER 2005 EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE, PAKISTAN
Statistics
Provided shelter and relief in the form of mattresses, food & medicines
Assisted over 700 families in Ghari Dupata and Thakot villages
Set up tent camp schools for children
Provided funds to rebuild a new eye unit in Muzaffarabad after the existing one room eye examination space was demolished by the earthquake
Provided support and rehabilitation services to amputees and spinal injury victims
Reaction to the crises
The Fred Hollows Foundation South East Asia Earthquake Appeal allowed the organization to deliver urgent medicine, supplies, blankets, tents and food to families left with nothing following the devastation caused by the 8th October 2005 earthquake.
Efforts were concentrated in Kashmir and the Hazara region of the North West Frontier Province and were coordinated by country manager, Dr Rubina Gillani who utilized her extensive knowledge and medical experience to deliver help where it was needed the most. Other Foundation staff in the Peshawar office also assisted in this work.
The Foundation collaborated with organizations in providing this aid:-
Oxfam, UN, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and local philanthropists.
Ongoing Support
Completion of upgraded eye unit in Muzaffarabad
Vocational training to displaced victims of the earthquake
Mental health counseling service offered for those affected by loss
Provided workshop and sports facilities for earthquake victims
