This is the second joint venture between CRUK and Raza/Madina Masjid, where we set up a Free Eye Camp, all the way in Jhelum, Pakistan. Having raised funds over the period of ramadan, we decided it was best to set something of this nature up in our Pakistan.
With the help of Cpt. Muazzim Hostpital, who generously allowed us to use their facilities free of charge and the specialist eye surgeons from Al-Shifa Eye Trust in Islamabad, we had a great team to help us with the campaign
The camp took place on May 2- May 3 and was totally free of cost to the public. We had an amazing turnout, with just over 1,200 people coming to get their eyes tested. Over the course of 2 days we prescribed the following;
1,180 Eye Drops,
772 Glasses
128 cataract surgeries carried out
227 referred for specialist surgery At Al-Shifa Eye Trust
The total cost of the camp was £10,404.70 or in PKR 3,925,550.
Looking at the cost of the whole camp, you can see why it was important for Community Relief UK to provide a totally free service for people, as it is almost unaffordable for the majority living over this side of the world. One surgery on average can cost up to 60,000pkr.
The camp went down amazingly well with everyone who turned up and this has spurred us on to hold another camp later this year.
I would finally like to thank all the volunteers who came and helped out, as well as those who attended just to show us moral support. The volunteers include Ajaz Chaudhry, who was an integral part of planning this whole camp and was a key figure in securing funding from Raza/Madina Masjid, Ifzal Chaudhry, whose due diligence was key in ensuring everything fell in accordance with charity commission guidelines and Wasim ‘Bhai’, who was once again side by side with me throughout the camp.
The other volunteers include, Iman Jabeen, who was amazing with the female patients, and ensured they were looked after with dignity….and also managed to get doctors to do check-ups on some patients for other symptoms. Shahzad Khan, Malik Mahmood, who came from Blackburn. Finally, a special mention for Malik Nasar Khan, who has been a massive advocate and supporter of Community Relief UK. From Moral to financial, his support has always been held in the highest regard.