Prevention of Blindness Trust, also known as the POB Trust and POB, is a project of Pakistan Islamic Medical Association.[3][4] Prevention Of Blindness Trust was established in July 2000 as a leading volunteer eye care organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight. POB Trust declared exempted from tax Federal Board of Revenue (Pakistan)[5] POB Trust endeavors to develop strategies for prevention and control of blindness and visual impairment. The prime objective of POB Trust is to promote and sustain a global campaign against all forms of avoidable blindness with emphasis on deprived communities. This initiative brings with it a great challenge and an exciting hope for all who work towards this goal. It is also a member of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for the VISION 2030: The Right to Sight.[6]
 | |
| Abbreviation | POB Trust, POB |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2000 |
| Type | Free Eye Care Registered Trust |
| Legal status | Registered Trust under Trust act of Pakistan. Tax Exempted. |
| Headquarters | Lahore |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 31°29′48″N 74°15′56″E / 31.496607°N 74.265425°E |
Region served | Pakistan and Worldwide 22 Countries |
Official language | Urdu, English |
Secretary General | Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zahid Latif |
Chairman | Prof. Dr. Intzar Hussain |
Main organ | eye |
Parent organization | Pakistan Islamic Medical Association |
| Affiliations | ECOSOC, WHO,[1] FIMA, FIMA Save Vision, PIMA – See[2] |
Volunteers | 250 Ophthalmologists |
| Website | www |
Activities
editThe POB Trust was registered in 2007, but the organization had been working in the field since July 2000. Until May 2024, approximately US$7.5 million had been spent on its projects of free eye care services involving 378,953 cataract surgeries of patients in 22 countries. POB Trust has been working in many areas:
- Free Eye Camps Pakistan
- Free Eye Camps in poor countries.
- Higher Surgical Training[7]
- School Eye Care Services.
- Emergency Relief: Earth Quake, Floods, IDP's.
- Prison Eye Care.
- Social Activities.
- Blind Rehabilitation Program.
- Community Centers: Jarranwala District Faisalabad, Channan Kharian District Gujrat.
- POB Eye Hospitals: Lahore and Karachi
- Public Awareness Campaigns
POB Trust organizes free eye camps in remote areas of the country. Every camp lasts for 2 to 4 days according to the location. During each free eye camp, 1000-3000 patients are screened for cataracts and if diagnosed, they are referred for diagnostic tests including Hepatitis B, C Screening. Tests are performed free of cost in the camp. After passing these tests patient goes towards surgery, and about 100-300 patients undergo the surgery in three days. Cataract surgeries are done with Intraocular lens implantation with a small incision and phacoemulsification. Reading glasses and eye drops are also distributed.
From 2000 to May 2024, the trust has achieved the following milestones: 22 countries in Asia and Africa 1004 free eye camps. Over 24,77,005 patients were examined and treated. Over 378,953 cataract surgeries with lens implantation. Over 1.9 million pairs of reading glasses were distributed.
Partners
editPOB Trust worked in shared projects with many other organizations like Helping Hand for Relief & Development Pakistan (HHRD-Pakistan),paktrust.org, Akhuwat, Al Khidmat Foundation, Federation of Islamic Medical Associations Save Vision, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association and with Ministry of Health Pakistan.
POB Eye Hospitals
editLahore
edit- 720 Kamran Block Allama Iqbal Town Lahore. 042-35414720
- 7 kilometers Main Raiwind Road, Lahore.
- WhatsApp Number: 03479997772
Karachi
editAddress: C -15 Block 12, Gulistan e Johar Near Munawar Chowrangi, Karachi. 021-34156597
Countries of activities
editPOB Trust activities during this period were based in 22 countries, as follows:
Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Somali land, Nigeria,[8][9] Mali, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Niger, Indonesia, Cameroon, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Gaza Palestine,[7] Bangladesh, South Africa, Maldives and Pakistan.
International Recognition
edit1. Richard and Hinda Rosenthal award from The Rosenthal Family Foundation is given to Dr. Pervaiz Malik on Prevention of Blindness Services recognition. Date is 24 April 2009.[10][11]
2. Pakistan Society of Ophthalmology award in 2011[12]^
3. Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Outstanding service in prevention of blindness Award[13]
Research Published
edit1. Prevalence of Refractive Errors in a public school children of Lahore[14]
2. Private Public Mix Working Model of a Teaching Hospital, Benefits for the Organizations and End users[15]
References
edit- ^ "Useful links".
- ^ "Home".
- ^ "Seminar on blindness: PIMA to build a hospital for free eye treatment". The Express Tribune. June 29, 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ^ "Doctors to conduct eye surgeries in Africa". The News. Pakistan. June 29, 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ^ "Prevention Of Blindness Trust (POB Trust) - Downloads". pobtrust.org. Archived from the original on 2016-06-11.
- ^ "Prevention Of Blindness Trust (POB Trust) - Core Values and Strategy". pobtrust.org.
- ^ a b "Daily Express News Story".
- ^ http://epaper.brecorder.com/2010/07/08/18-page/191321-news.html [dead link]
- ^ "Daily Express News Story".
- ^ http://fimaweb.net/cms/index.php/joomla-pages-iii/categories-list/71-projects/pob-trust/150-the-rosenthal-family-foundation
- ^ "ACP: International Activities - Newsletter - July 2009". Archived from the original on 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "::Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO)::". www.apaophth.org. Archived from the original on 2011-09-04.
- ^ "Prevalence of Refractive Errors". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
- ^ "Private Public Mix Working Model". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-06-05.