Cataract is a major cause of blindness in Pakistan. According to WHO statistics approximately 60 % of total blindness in Pakistan is caused by cataract. The incidence of cataract is high in people above the age of 50, with nearly 70 % of them in various stages of cataract.

A simple operation is required to cure the problem however, if left untreated it could lead to permanent blindness. The situation is made worse by the fact that nearly 70% of these cases are from individuals who live in rural areas where eye care facilities are non-existent.

Project Objectives

• To reduce the number of people suffering from blindness caused by cataract;
  

• To raise awareness amongst rural communities on how to identify and treat cataract;
  

Project Activities

• The date and venue of the camps is publicised by way of local newspapers, banners and leaflets in advance so that people are well informed.
  

• Tests carried out in these eye camps give a list of people who are suffering from cataract.
  

• Operations are carried out based on these lists; priority is given to people in advanced stages of cataract.
  

• Operations are held in Government run Rural Health Centres (RHC). There is one RHC in each union council.
  

• Operations are relatively simple and the patient is kept under observation for one day.

For this project IR is partnering Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

PIMA, a NGO formed by Pakistani Doctors voluntarily devoting their time for providing free medical services to the poor, provide surgeons, nurses and other logistical support for this project.

The MoH provide access to the RHC's where the operations are carried out while the community assist in the eye camps and provide food for the patients.

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/