Sight for 10,000 Poor Blind Children in Pakistan

10-year-old Hamza had congenital cataract in both eyes which was slowly developing. Hamza’s parents got to know about his condition through his school as they were called in by the principal to discuss his lack of interest in studies. After inquiring with Hamza and school administration, they got to know that Hamza is unable to see properly and his vision has become hazy over the period of time and also is not able to see properly in dark.

They took him to the doctor in their area, where they were informed that Hamza has congenital cataract in both his eyes which had slowly developed over a period of time. Upon knowing the cost of the treatment they were worried as they were hardly making ends meet. As both of Hamza’s parents are working in a garment factory where his father is machine operator and mother works as a cropper and running the household on their meagre salaries they earn. They live in a two room rented house. They were in a dilemma how to get the treatment done as they did not have any savings at all and through their jobs they were not earning much.

However, as their garment factory was near LRBT Korangi Hospital, and they used to see it daily while their commute to and fro work. When they inquired about the hospital at their workplace they got to know about LRBT more and how they are providing free treatment for different eye ailments to the underprivileged patients and many of their colleagues have also benefited and are satisfied from the services being provided at the hospital. They took Hamza to LRBT Korangi hospital, over there all their worries were taken care off and surgery of Hamza was planned.

After the cataract surgeries of both the eyes, his parents were thankful to LRBT, specially her mother overwhelmed with emotions said “when they found out about their son’s condition they lost all the hope as they could not afford the treatment. LRBT and its staff has been a ray of hope, as at LRBT they were treated with utmost care and their son is able to see again.” Hamza is happy to be back at school and excelling in his studies.

6-year-old, Wali is a resident of Gharo a small town outside Karachi. He is studying in Grade 1 and is a studious child who loves going to school. He also loves playing football with his friends in the evening. While playing football the ball hit him in the eye. His friends brought him home he was crying helplessly due to excruciating pain in his left eye. Wali’s father Raj Muhammad immediately took him to the local clinic, however doctor only gave Wali some painkillers and sent him home. The pain did ease, but over a period of time Wali started to complain about hazy vision.

Raj was unable to find work as he is a daily wager, he was feeling helpless as his son was on the verge of losing eyesight. He started to ask for help, one of the neighbors a local volunteer of LRBT Adi Shama told Raj not to lose hope. Very next day she took them to the LRBT’s Primary Eye Health Clinic for Wali’s checkup. Over there the optometrist diagnosed Traumatic Cataract and gave them the date for further checkup and surgery at LRBT Korangi Karachi.

Raj was again worried as he started thinking about how he will commute to Karachi for the surgery, Adii Shama took care of his worries by telling him that every fortnight a vehicle takes the patients to Karachi. Where the patients are admitted and their consultations and surgeries take place. Raj was ecstatic to know that all his worries were taken care of by his neighbor Adi Shama and her association with LRBT. As all his expenses were taken care of in terms of Free of Charge treatment including cataract surgery, medicines and the travelling expense as well. On the day of Wali’s surgery both father and son embarked on their journey to Karachi along with all the patients which were aligned for checkup and surgery.

He had a successful surgery and is back home recovering. He cannot wait to go back to school and seeing his son back to his usual chirpy self his father upon leaving the hospital said, “LRBT is a savior for many like us, we thank Allah for enabling us to come to this hospital where every worry of mine was taken care off. I am happy that our little Wali will recover and will have a fulfilling life.”