Free eye camps

Islamabad: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospitals (ASTEH) established free eye camps at different location in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies to provide free eye health services to the people of the region. These camps are carried out by the Al-Shifa Center for community ophthalmology under the supervision of GM ACCO Colonel Tariq Usman.
FC Sector North collaborated with ASTEH to arrange these camps in these far flung areas. Officials at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospitals informed ‘The News’ here on Saturday that the region was war torn due to the presence of extremist element whereas presence of health care services in these areas is very scarce due to frequent security threats and volatile insurgency situation.
ACCO department took the initiative; this is the very first eye screening camps in the region. These camps are the necessity of the region, as there is lack of awareness regarding the personal health. Many cases were discovered which were serious because of the war injuries, such cases are of the importance as wounds and infectious diseases need special attention and lack of attention could result in permanent loss of sight.
People were told of the eye camps in advance, even though there is a lack of awareness but still a good response was shown by the people, which largely was due to the efforts made the FC Sector North and local political agents.
In Mohmand Agency, a total of 1,436 Patients were checked, 942 were issued medicine, Glasses were given to 816 people, 108 people were referred for cataract, 189 people were referred to the ASTEH Hospital. School Screening was also carried out in Govt Boys Higher Secondary School and Govt Girls Higher Secondary School. A total of 1946 children were screened.
In Bajaur agency a total of 1,268 People were screened, 891 people were given medicine, 813 glasses were distributed,93 patients were referred to ASTEH. School Screening was carried out in FC Public School Bajaur agency, Governor Model School for girls Khaur, Bajaur Agency, A total of 3,212 children were screened.