Al-Shifa Trust begins services in Gilgit
A nurse administers Polio vaccine drops to a young Palestinian patient at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on August 31, 2024. PHOTO: AFP
In view of increasing demand for quality eye care services, Al-Shifa Trust started providing free services to the people of remote areas before the completion of the cutting-edge hospital in Gilgit.
The joint venture between Al-Shifa Trust and the Rupani Foundation will benefit millions of underserved people, many of whom cannot afford quality services.
A ceremony was held with Minister of Health Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Azam Khan as the chief guest. He lauded the trust's efforts in bringing advanced eye care services to remote areas.
The minister said that previously, residents of Gilgit-Baltistan had to travel to other provinces for eye treatments, incurring significant financial and emotional costs, adding "We are grateful for the considerable reduction in these challenges."
The groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art hospital took place just five months ago in July 2024. Al-Shifa Trust has prioritized the commencement of its operations, recognizing the urgent need for quality eye care in the area despite its scheduled completion in 2026.