Mirpur Surgical Eye Camp – Huge Success: 121 Cataract Operations

On 10th and 11th April 2010, PakTrust in partnership with POB Trust and Riaz Hospital held a 2 day surgical eye camp. Nearly 800 patients were checked and 121 cataract operations were carried out on site at Riaz hospital during the two days. A number of identified operations were not done and deferred to later camp as the patients were showing high blood sugar levels. This was one of the largest and most sucessful eye camps to be held in the region which recieved wide local media coverage.

Those patients that were not needing cataract operation were either given eye drops, glasses or in many childrens cases were refered to Al-Shifa Eye Trust under the care of PakTrust where they needed special attention. In one case, we have a young student whose eye was accidentally pierced with a knife, he has so far had 3 seperate operations at Al-Shifa, funded by PakTrust to the tune of 50,000+ rupees and he is yet to receive further treatment. In the main, the fully loaded cost of this camp for cataract operations has come in at just under 35 pounds, which is a small price to pay for restoration of ones eye sight.

All patients returned to Mirpur District HQ Hospital on 19^th April for final check-up. All operations done by POBTrust were deemed success. Patients were full of praise and still could not believe the entire treatment and their stay during the camp was fully free. Few had previously had their other eye treated at other camps but were forced to pay for the lenses. One elderly man was quoted as saying, “I thank and pray to Allah that he blesses and gives this kind hearted man, who has generously paid for these operations, his greatest reward … I pray for the mother who has given birth to this generous soul …I pray for Dr Riaz and his family….I pray for all the surgeons and all staff who have looked after all the patients in a lovingly manner…today is a great day…on behalf of Mirpur and all the patients I thank Allah and all those who have come together to give us the chance to see again.

Sajid Ramzan, commenting on the camp said, “This was a terrific exercise that came together through the experience of 3 very experienced establishments, PakTrust, POBTrust and Riaz Hospital. The net result was a very well organized camp that resulted in 3 times the operations in the same camp the previous year. Although this was the fourth eye camp PakTrust had organized, it was the first surgical one and the first one that I and my family had personally taken part in. We are humbled by the experience and truly overcome by the emotions, love and prayers received from the patients. I would definitely recommend others to be involved in future; this is a very rewarding life experience. Although the camp was held in Mirpur, patients had arrived from all over Kashmir and as far a field as Lahore.

I am very grateful and thankful to POBTrust and Riaz Hospital, who came together with PakTrust for this venture. I am especially thankful to a dear friend who remains anonymous, that personally funded this camp. Finally, special thanks to all the surgeons and medical staff at POBTrust who came from Lahore/Faisalabad, to all the staff at Riaz Hospital and brave young volunteers of PakTrust who worked day and night to make this camp a success. May Allah reward you for this generosity.”