Comstech, Al-Shifa to train eye specialists in OIC states

Workshops, fellowships to be offered to prevent blindness

ISLAMABAD:

With medical advancements reaching new heights, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to build capacity in ophthalmology and prevent blindness in OIC member states by providing special training.

The MoU was signed between Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi and Organisation of Islamic Council’s (OIL) Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Comstech at a ceremony held at Comstech headquarters, a spokesperson shared on Friday.

As per the agreement, an academic wing of AlShifa Hospital, the Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology will provide training in different areas such ophthalmology, optometry and orthoptics to public health officials, ophthalmologists, ophthalmic technicians, bio-medical technicians, ophthalmic nurses and ophthalmic nursing assistants in OIC states.

Al-Shifa Hospital will offer observerships for four to 12 weeks and one-year clinical fellowships to candidates from OIC countries in the subspecialties such as cornea and refractive surgery, vitreo-retina, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma and orbit and oculoplasty, the agreement mentioned.

A delegation of highly qualified and experienced surgeons will be sent to pre-selected OIC member states to undertake surgical camps for cataract and perform advanced surgical procedures for diseases, the spokesperson maintained. The signatories included were Coordinator General Dr M Iqbal Choudhary and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital President Major General (retired) Rehmat Khan.