1. President AST makes landmark decision on service and salary structure of employees

2. BoT approves 660 million Al-Shifa Budget

3. Ground breaking ceremony of Pharmaceutical Project

4. Double honour for Prof. Wajid

5. Turkish Ambassador visits AST

6. Glaucoma workshop

7. Sukkur offers free teleophthalmology services to rural Sindh

8. Fred Hollows delegation from Australia

9. Outstanding performance by students of optometry

10. NAVTEC supported training program starts

11. Egyptian specialist at AST for training in oculoplastics

12. AST signs MoU with Govt of Mauritius

13. Staff New

14. Young Friends of AST

15. Ramadan Zakat Campaig

16. Patients’ Column

17. Appeal

“We have tried our best to bring the service and salary structure of AST employees at par with the market demands and we expect from you to give the best to this institution.”  In a recent major policy decision, President AST announced to give almost 50-100% salary rise to employees of AST. In addition, a dynamic career structure for the teaching and professional staff based on the recommendations of TOR Board was also announced. This will need an additional budget of about 24 million per annum.

On the recommendations of the Finance Committee headed by Mr. Saeed Qureshi, who is also the Vice President of AST, PKR 668 million (7 million US dollars) budget was approved by Board of Trustees for the fiscal year of 2012-13. The budget with a deficit of about 160 million takes into account the  recent salary rise and the pharmaceutical project which has been set into motion this year (vide infra).

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The Eye Drop Production Unit has been working at Al-Shifa since 1994 to cater for the needs of AST hospitals. Later, its production was increased for limited commercial use in Punjab. The President of AST, Mr. Hamid Javaid, after thorough feedback from in-house as well as from market surveys decided to launch a full-scale pharmaceutical project which will not only deliver good quality medicines for all of our four hospitals, but will also supply at national and international level on commercial basis. The first good news has already poured in. Two of our medicines already in production have been approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority for export to Middle East.

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Prof. Wajid Ali Khan, who is the leading expert in the country for diseases of cornea and probably currently has the maximum number of corneal grafting to his credit in Pakistan was awarded with Sitare-Imtiaz by President of Pakistan. Prof Wajid who is Dean of Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology is already the holder of the Pride of Performance Award by President of Pakistan.

Recognizing his services in eye care at national level, Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan has also awarded him Novel Christie Gold Medal. It may be recalled that earlier Prof. Wajid had also been honored by Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology at Hong Kong and Sydney.

“It is not an individual honour, but a collective honour for my institution which enabled me to contribute something at national and international level” commented Prof. Wajid on his nomination for these awards.

President AST, Staff and Faculty convey its most sincere congratulations to him on this landmark achievement.

Glaucoma workshop

Participants of workshop with Prof. Standefer

Being the second commonest cause of blindness in the world, the last survey conducted by WHO in Pakistan shows that blindness from glaucoma has increased in Pakistan by five percent over the last twenty years. AST has the unique facility in the form of fully equipped modern Glaucoma Department with adequately skilled professionals. The department has to its credit the discovery of some genes and important risk factors associated with glaucoma for the first time in the world. As a center of excellence, we also arrange for training of ophthalmologists from all over the country in the diagnostic and surgical techniques for glaucoma.  Professor James E Standefer, from  White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA regularly conducts workshop for this purpose at Al-Shifa Trust. This year five ophthalmologists were trained under his supervision.

Another glaucoma specialist from UK, Mr. Nitin Anand also conducted a live surgical session at Al-Shifa which was observed through our teleophthalmology network by number of ophthalmologists from different parts of the country.

A trainee presenting a case to Prof Standefer

The teleophthalmology project which is a joint collaboration of AST and Govt. of Italy (PIDSA) has been very effective in providing expert consultation services to far-flung health care centers in both public and private sector. AST Eye Hospital Sukkur which is one of the main teleophthalmology linked center has now started providing free teleophthalmology services in Sindh. All the eye care physicians of the area have been approached to avail this opportunity free of cost. “ I believe, this is a wonderful opportunity for the deserving patients especially in rural Sindh, where hardly any specialist is available” said Dr. Rajesh Kumar of Larkana on receiving this news.

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Turkish Ambassador visits AST

“I am very happy to be here to see such a wonderful facility which is doing an excellent job for prevention of needless blindness in the country. Many centers of excellence in Turkey will be ready to collaborate with Al-Shifa through mutual exchange of professional skill and knowledge.” said His Excellency, Mr. Mustafa Babür Hizlan, Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan during his recent visit to Al-Shifa Trust.  We look forward to a strong collaboration in near future.

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Fred Hollows Foundation delegation from Australia visits Al-Shifa

OMP students with Kirsten Bailey and Dr. Rubina Gillani of FHF

Fred Hollows Foundation playing a key role in human resource development in eye care in Pakistan is a long standing partner with Al-Shifa Trust, supporting many projects especially in training of Ophthalmic Midlevel Personnel. Based in Sydney Australia, FHF country office in Pakistan maintains a constant rapport with AST. Recently Ms Kirsten Bailey from Australia visited us and held important meetings with senior faculty and management of AST. FHF and AST partnership has agreed to start subspecialty training in allied vision sciences like optometry and vitreo retinal surgical assistance technology for the first time in Pakistan.

President AST with FHF delegation

Under National Academy of Paramedics, Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology, is providing quality training in different fields of ophthalmology and allied vision sciences. Our students are consistently performing well in university exams.  Asma Amin and Muhammad Abu Zar Ghaffari each got second position in the University in 1st and 2nd Professional BSc. Optometry exams respectively.

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Ophthalmic Laser and Ultrasound Technology is fast developing discipline in the world. For the first time in Pakistan. These courses have been started from July this year to meet the demands for specialized OMP cadre at national level. National Vocational and Training Education Centre is supporting these programs.

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The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, signed on 6 July 2012 at the Subramania Bharati Eye hospital in Moka a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen the existing cooperation in the field of ophthalmology for a period of five years.
The signature ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Mr. Lormus Bundhoo, and the Chief Consultant/Dean of Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Professor Wajid Ali Khan, and his team who were on a visit to Mauritius from 30 June to 7 July 2012 to carry out voluntary ophthalmic operations.
According to the terms of the MoU, the Al-Shifa team will continue to operate on complex cases on voluntary basis using state-of-the-art technology and new techniques available in Mauritius. The team will provide training to the local surgeons and the nursing staff during surgeries and will conduct seminars, workshops and clinical meetings. The MoU also makes provision for Mauritian doctors, nursing staff as well as paramedical staff to undergo short and long-term training at the Al-Shifa Trust Eye hospital.
Mr. Bundhoo said that the presence of Pakistani team bears testimony of the commitment of friendly countries to assist Mauritius in enhancing the quality of care in the field of ophthalmology.
 
Since the first visit of the team to Mauritius in 2008, the Al-Shifa doctors have operated on 168 complex ophthalmic cases.  These include a 46 cases of corneal grafting, vitreo-retinal and other complex oculoplastics and child eye surgeries.
Prof. Wajid on behalf of Al-Shifa Trust thanked the Government of Mauritius for its hospitality and expressed his conviction that the collaboration between the Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, Govt of Mauritius will continue to strengthen.

1. Dr. Sarah Zafar, a bright upcoming ophthalmologist in the field of vitreoretinal surgery passed her FRCS recently. She is already qualified as FCPS in Ophthalmology after completing 4-years residency at Al-Shifa. Congratulations!
2. Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, a bright optometrist, working at Al-Shifa Hospital Rawalpindi, was recently selected for Leadership Training Program in Optometry. This 3 week training program which included participants from six countries was conducted at Sydney under the auspices of International Center for Eye Education (ICEE). “I learned a lot of new techniques and skills in optometry education, which I plan to apply here at Al-Shifa” said Mr. Ahmed at conclusion of his training. We are thankful to ICEE for this support.
3. Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed has joined AST as Director Finance. A Chartered Accountant as well as Cost and Management Accountant, he brings with him a rich experience of over 20 years. Welcome, Mr. Ahmed!.

Ramadan Zakat Campaign

Like every year AST also conducted Zakat Collection Campaign this year. The Campaign was very successful and sent a very clear message that despite the economic hardships being faced currently, people do care and value the charity services, if provided with dedication and sincerity.  Fareeha - a seven years old primary school student - donated all her monthly pocket money to AST.  Her mother who accompanied her, told that Fareeha was quite moved and excited as she saw the remarkable recovery of one of her classmate who had lost her vision due to injury at school. Her friend was operated at Al-Shifa.

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Patients’ Column- Catherine will see again

Teleophthalmology, an electronic extension of state of the art eye care to the patients located hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from the main eye car

Very few people know that cataract is not only the commonest cause of blindness in adults, but also an important cause of treatable blindness in children. “My both children- Catherine and Solomon were diagnosed to have impaired vision at birth.” Informed the mother. Cataract in children may remain undiagnosed for long time and may be mistreated with glasses or medicines with no improvement. “Solomon was diagnosed to have cataract at the age of 4 years by doctors at Al-Shifa, although I knew that child cannot see properly right from birth. Doctors told us not to worry and use glasses regularly”. Solomon was operated in both eyes and now is able to see and live a normal life. “I could not see the blackboard clearly and had difficulty in recognizing my teachers, but now after the doctors treated me at hospital, I am very happy” said Solomon enjoying video game on his father’s mobile phone.  His younger sister, Catherine has recently been operated at Al-Shifa for cataract. “We implanted latest artificial lens (IOL) in her eye and she will be able to see again, insha’Allah, said the operating surgeon, Dr. Sumera, who is the pediatric ophthalmologist here. “Cataract in children may run in families as is the case with Catherine.” However, operating on a child cataract is a complex task. “It is technically more demanding and needs utmost care to avoid surgical complications which can be disastrous for the child”, said Dr. Sumera. Apart from surgical difficulties, such children born with cataract may have other serious associated health problems like heart anomalies which makes the job of anesthetist very difficult. “We use special techniques and safeguards in such children while administering general anesthesia”, informed Dr. Tariq Nadeem, the pediatric anesthetist who was trained for the purpose by Al-Shifa at Chicago.

Both Solomon and Catherine will live a normal life, but behind the scenes, a team consisting of highly trained specialists and lot of resources were scrambled together to make it happen. Many others are in waiting. Let us join together to make their life as normal as we want our children to have.

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APPEAL

APPEAL
Al-Shifa Needs Your Support
Al-Shifa is a Not-for-Profit and a non-political organization. It is committed to providing eye care and treatment mainly to the under privileged and poor. Almost 75% of all patients attending Al-Shifa Eye Hospital are treated free. The Trust is able to meet only 30-40% of its expenses from its own sources while the remaining expenses are met through Zakat, donations and support from philanthropists. 
 Your contribution means the gift of sight for someone in need!
Kindly note that your Zakat donations go separately to the accounts which are dedicated for treatment of Zakat patients only.
Kindly send your donations or Zakat to following Account Numbers: -

In Pakistan, donations can be sent directly to Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi or to:

1. Askari Commercial Bank Limited, Adiala Road Branch Rawalpindi. Account No. 078-01-010-1715-3
2. Habib Bank Ltd. Kashmir Road Branch Rawalpindi. Account No. 1236-00355425-01
3. United Bank Ltd. Cantonment Branch Rawalpindi. Account No. 011-0228-4
4. Allied Bank Ltd. Adam Jee Road Branch, Saddar Rawalpindi. Account No. 01-200-3589-7
5. National Bank of Pakistan, Corporate Branch, Bank road Saddar, Rawalpindi.   Account No.18-5
6. Bank Al-Falah Ltd. The Mall Branch, Mall Road Rawalpindi. Account No. 2906752

All donations in Pakistan are exempted from Income Tax vide Regional Commissioner Income Tax, Islamabad, letter number SO-III-26 (9)97-98/5422 dated 23rd May 1998, and Sec 61(X) of second schedule of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

In UK

1. Habib Bank AG Zurich 5/7 High Street Southall, Middlesex UB 1 3HA, UK, Account Number = 7-2-7-20311-402-109356 (Pound Sterling Account), Account Number = 7-2-7-20311-333-109356 (US dollar Account)
2. HSBC Bank AuchinLeck House, Birmingham:  Account Number = 40-1108 (sort code)-41311565 (Account number)

In USA

1. National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), 100 Wall Street, 21st Floor New York, NY 10005: Account Number = 52152578
2. Al-Shifa Foundation of North America: 475 Wall Street, Princeton, NJ 08540. Tel: (609) 279-1400, Email : [email protected] , website: www.afnausa.org. (AFNA has been granted not-for-profit status under section 501(C)(3) status of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID No: 36-4328912 (For use of US Residents)

For donors outside the country especially in UK and USA provision for online donations through Paypal are also now available

Al Shifa is NOW on MCB Mobile. Make donations using 'Quick Pay' & let’s help make someone's life better!

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: 0092 51 5487820-25, Fax: 0092 51 5487827
Email: [email protected], [email protected] 

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Railway Road, Sukkur, Pakistan
Tel: 0092 71 5612766, 0092 71 5615466 Fax: 0092 71 5613453
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, KDA, Kohat, Pakistan
Tel: 0092 922 515686, 0092 922 515710:  Fax: 0092 922 515668
Email: [email protected], [email protected] 

Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Ambore Camp, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Tel: 0092 5822432159, 0092 5822432144, Fax: 0092 51 5487827

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