Written by: Eeman Amjad - Posted on: April 18, 2013 | 
Comments | 中国 (Chinese)
Google Translation: اُردو | 中文
There are approximately 1.5 million blind people in Pakistan, most of whom are unseen, unheard and uncounted in the country. The vision of General Jahandad Khan was to cater to the millions of unseen in each province. Rawalpindi was the hub, the first hospital where the vision materialized. After that, the Trust expanded its operations, opening an eye hospital in Kohat, KP, and one in Sukkur, Sindh. The most recent eye hospital to open was in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. This was the dream to go beyond the borders to help. This particular hospital was supposed to be a geographic hub, and was to cater to the Indian Kashmiris as well. Currently, there is the hope of completing the vision by opening an eye hospital in Quetta, Baluchistan. In the room of the Executive Director, there is a picture of a beautiful building that will one day service those who are forgotten in the largest province of the country. But, today due to security reasons, this plan is on hiatus.
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| Al Shifa Eye Trust- Muzaffarabad |
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The major problem is trying to create awareness, training teachers and students about the preventable causes of blindness. Children are the most important targets for the hospitals; which is why the pediatric ward is the center of their focus. The waiting room is a friendly space for children with a play area at the back. Walking by the waiting room for children, I could see nervous parents, from all over the country, waiting for their child to be treated. The organized and systematic process helps wash away any anxiety.
Another area laid out to cater to a specific segment is a spacious blue room called the Light House, designated for rehabilitation of those who are visually affected. Dr. Mehreen, who works in the Light House, relates that there is a dearth of institutes helping rehabilitate patients. The Light House is equipped with high tech gear that enables those who are affected to read, type, use the computer, cook and play, so that they can eventually assimilate into a normal life.
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| President Lt Gen (Rtd) Hamid Javaid |
The whole hospital exuded a sense of passion and concern, which could be felt when talking to the Executive Director, Brig Rizwan Ullah Asghar. He was clear about the hospital’s goals to help those who could not be reached.To facilitate achieving this objective, he explained, there was no vetting process involved. He emphasized that anyone could get free treatment and there was no discrimination.
The current President Lt General Hamid Javed, believed to have been nominated by the founder himself, outlined the future of the Trust: their endeavor to open an eye hospital in Baluchistan and their focus on a new pediatric hospital. The Trust is planning to open a children’s hospital in the next two or three years, equipped with modern technology, which they hope will probably be the largest children’s hospital in the region, if not in the world.
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The greatest challenge highlighted by both the Executive Director and President is the lack of awareness among people in the country. It is hard, the Executive Director admitted, when the media only focuses on politics, there is an overall deficit of attention given to these social issues. He cited the example of the lack of eye donors in Pakistan. After the death of an individual, the cornea of a deceased can be removed and given to an individual suffering from corneal blindness. The problem is that an almost negligible number of donors from within the country means that they have to import corneas from other countries such as Sri Lanka. People of this country have the gift to help those who cannot see; they can help a waiting list of around five years.
The President also revealed that although the support of the people in the country has been generous, it is too risky depending solely upon donations. Therefore, one of the Trust’s goals is to become self-sufficient, which they plan on accomplishing by opening its doors to more affluent patients as well. He promises that this would not mean that those patients who are receiving free eye care would be neglected, but that this would be simply a way to ensure the survival of the Trust for the future.
As I am left I noticed once again the flag floating above - silence around only the soft murmur of a crowd inside the red brick building. The country’s flag- the nation’s emblem- can be seen reflected in the windows and maybe if I look closer I can actually see the dreams of a nation: to help those suffering with a disability and a hope that one day there will be light for the entire country especially its children. The dream of a man that changed thousands of lives. The dream of a nation to see, floating above our heads, softly against the wind.
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| Al Shifa eye hospital |
