Australia-Pakistan eye care partnership restores sight for millions in Punjab

• HC Timothy Kane reviews Australian-supported eye health facilities during Lahore visit

• Australia support helps King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital to strengthen training and treatment capacity

 LAHORE: Timothy Kane, the Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, on Tuesday witnessed first-hand the impact of Australia’s long-standing support for eye health during a visit to the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) at King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital in Lahore.

During the visit, Kane inspected Australian-supported clinical, teaching and training facilities aimed at strengthening eye care services and preventing treatable blindness across Pakistan.

He was received by KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz, COAVS Principal Prof Muhammad Moin, Prof Emeritus and Provincial Coordinator for Prevention of Blindness Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, Registrar Prof Asghar Naqi, Professor of Surgery Abrar Ashraf, Chief Executive Officer Prof Shoaib Nabi, Professor of Psychiatry Ali Madih Hashmi, Professor of Medicine Dr Imran, The Fred Hollows Foundation Country Manager Farooq Awan and faculty members.

The visit underscored the long-standing partnership between the Australian government, The Fred Hollows Foundation and COAVS, which has been working with federal and provincial health departments and public hospitals to strengthen Pakistan’s eye care system since 1998.

Officials said the collaboration has played a significant role in reducing Pakistan’s blindness rate from around 1.8 per cent in the 1990s to 0.5pc today, helping save the eyesight of millions.

Over the last 27 years, nearly six million people have benefited from programmes jointly supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation and COAVS.

The partnership has already delivered significant results in 2024, including screening over two million people, conducting more than 30,000 cataract surgeries, treating thousands of diabetic retinopathy patients, distributing over 66,000 pairs of eyeglasses, and training more than 7,500 medical professionals and community workers.

Timothy Kane said Australia was proud to partner with Pakistan to reduce preventable blindness and improve access to quality eye care.

Farooq Awan said Australian support had enabled eye care to reach underserved communities, particularly women and the underprivileged, while COAVS Principal Prof Muhammad Moin and Vice Chancellor Prof Mahmood Ayaz termed the partnership vital for expanding modern treatment, research and higher education in ophthalmology.