Pir Irani eye camp: ‘Just because it is free, does not mean that it is ineffective’

Doctors from Sukkur and Karachi have volunteered to conduct surgeries.

SUKKUR: Pir Irani Eye Camp, which provides free eye treatment annually, is being held in the Mustafai Trust Hospital Sukkur from December 24 to December 26.

Although the hospital conducts free surgeries throughout the year, it has been organising the camp since 2000. A team of eye surgeons from Karachi and Sukkur will be treating 300 patients during the three days. The team includes the general secretary of the Opthalmological Society of Pakistan, Dr Qazi Muhammad Wasiq, Dr Maqbool Hussain from Karachi and Dr Ibrahim Bhutto from Sukkur.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Wasiq clarified the misconception that free eye camps are ineffective. He explained that an eye operation is done with sincerity and care regardless of whether it is performed in a private clinic or a free camp. To clarify fears regarding the effectiveness of the operations, he also pointed out that the doctors were using modern instruments and methods of operation. He also pointed out that the doctors would provide phaco surgery, a form of laser treatment, after which patients will be able to resume their daily activities within a week.



The surgeries are being performed on everyone without discrimination and patients are also provided free medicines and food. As this is a one-time operation, most of the patients do not need to stay overnight, he said. However, arrangements have been made to accommodate individuals coming from far flung areas.

The administrator of the Mustafai Trust Hospital and an eye surgeon, Dr Mohammad Ibrahim Bhutto, told The Express Tribune that the operation normally costs Rs4,000 but it is being conducted free of cost at the camp as many people would not be able to afford it otherwise. Talking about the annual camp, he explained that philanthropists from all over Sindh donate generously to the camp and surgeons from Karachi volunteer to participate in it. The government, however, has not been forthcoming in extending assistance. He added that the camp would be able to provide treatment to more people if it received funds from the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.