ISLAMABAD
\nMajor General (Retd) Rehmat Khan, President of Al-Shifa Trust, said on Sunday that Pakistan faces a significant eye health crisis, with nearly two million people exposed to preventable blindness, 80 percent of which is curable.
\nAddressing the media at the National Press Club, he stated that last year, Al-Shifa Trust treated more than 1.8 million patients, including 100,000 surgeries. Approximately 83% of patients received treatment at no cost. \u201cEvery day we carry out about 450-500 surgical procedures,\u201d Khan said, adding that Al-Shifa Trust carries out about 1,000 corneal transplants every year, which is approximately 50% of the total corneal transplants in the country.
\nHe stated that Al-Shifa Trust is the only chain of eye hospitals that treats eye cancer patients at no cost.
\nRegarding future endeavours, the president of Al Shifa Trust stated that a modern and the largest eye hospital in the country is being built in Lahore. An American architectural firm is designing the hospital, and the ground-breaking is scheduled to take place in September 2025. What began as a modest initiative in 1985 has evolved into Pakistan\u2019s most comprehensive humanitarian eye care network, transforming countless lives and restoring hope, he underlined.
\nKhan noted that an estimated 12.64 million people, 61 percent of whom are women, struggle with reading and close-up tasks. Limited access to simple reading glasses severely hinders education, work, and overall well-being for many. Major General Rehmat Khan explained that Refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy significantly contribute to vision loss.
\nHe also cited poor hygiene, polluted air, adverse environmental conditions, financial hardships, lack of awareness, insufficient facilities, and entrenched cultural barriers as critical factors. He stated that the Trust\u2019s humanitarian mission extends beyond conventional care, encompassing accessible healthcare that transcends economic barriers. Its growth, from treating 25 to 5,000 patients daily over three decades, reflects unwavering commitment.
\nTechnological advancements have enhanced Al-Shifa\u2019s capacity to serve underserved communities. The Chakwal hospital expansion, for instance, dramatically increased daily patient capacity from 150 to 650 individuals, reflecting an adaptive approach to meeting growing demand. Al-Shifa aims to double its service capacity to 2.5 million patients annually, including 120,000 surgeries, by 2028.
\nKhan emphasized that while many patients cannot afford treatment, those with resources can support the mission. By combining advanced technology with compassionate care, Al-Shifa continues to transform lives, proving that even the most challenging crises can be effectively addressed with proper dedication and community support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Major General (Retd) Rehmat Khan, President of Al-Shifa Trust, said on Sunday that Pakistan faces a significant eye health crisis, with nearly two million people exposed to preventable blindness, 80 percent of which is curable. Addressing the media at the National Press Club, he stated that last year, Al-Shifa Trust treated more than 1.8 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-493026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n