Aaj TV showed footage and interview of the Jhelum Surgical eye camp which was a resounding success.

PakTrust in collaboration with POBTrust organised a Surgical Eye Camp at Hamida Yousaf Welfare Hospital in Jaranwalla, near Faisalabad on 28, 29 and 30th October 2011. The camp was a major success with 1370 patients registered for check-ups, around 400 were identified for operations and eventually 385 patients were operated for cataract surgery over a marathon 3 day period. Fabulous success and an enormous outcome, big well done to POB Technical Staff, POB Surgeons and Local volunteers for making this happen.

PakTrust delegation led by Sajid Ramzan and Faisal Shahzad set out on 6 hour drive each way to spend a day at the camp. Faisal Shazad commented, “we were absolutely thrilled to attend this eye camp, though the journey was long and tiring, the experience and time spent with patients and hearing their prayers was worth every second. We wish and pray for quick recovery for all the patients”.

PakTrust distributed 100 family food parcels to the poor and needy of Dhok Ghulam Mustafa Village in Jhelum in the final days of Ramadan in the lead up to Eid. The idea was suggested by Haji Mohammad Shabbir, who was keen that the needy he had met in his visit a year earlier would greatly benefit from this gesture. Taykdar Munir Hussain had produced a list of the needy villagers and a member of each of those families was invited to the offices of PakTrust for collection of their food parcel which included enough food for a family of 5 for an entire month.

Last year after the Free Eye Camp in Mirpur in April 2010, volunteer Haider Ramzan wrote this blog entry “Haider Ramzan’s Blog on Eye Camp”. Haider’s blog proved very popular at the time, and even now remains one of the most popular pages on this website.

Muhammad Saad Mansha is also a long-term volunteer for PakTrust. He felt compelled to write his own blog entry following the recent Free Eye Camp in Jhelum on 22-23 October 2011. This is his account:

THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF MY LIFE

Muhammad Saad Mansha helping patients in the Doctors Room.

I, Muhammad Saad Mansha, am a student from Mirpur in Azad Kashmir. I am aged 20 and a regular volunteer of PakTrust. I participated in almost all the activities especially in all the eye camps performed by PakTrust. The most important principle of this organisation which I observed throughout all the eye camps is its discipline and equality.

What discipline have I observed?

The answer is quite simple. When a patient enters the eye camp he or she has to move through a comprehensive set of procedures. For example:

• From registration to the check up.
• From laboratory tests to the operation bed.
• And from final check up to the door step

There is a comprehensive set of procedures which has to be observed by all the patients. Here this discipline can also be termed as rules or regulations. And throughout all the procedures, the volunteers and staff of PakTrust are always with the patients to show them the right direction. Not only volunteers but the Chairperson (Sajid Ramzan) and Country Manager (Faisal Shahzad) of PakTrust along with the PakTrust Pakistan Trustees – they all participate in taking care of all the activities happening in camps and control the whole procedures whilst ensuring the patients are treated with the utmost respect and kindness.

What equality have I observed?

For PakTrust all the patients are equal. No VIP protocol is given to any patient. Every patient is alloted a separate registration number. Every patient is checked by the doctors based on the registration number. No one can break the number line. Some people try to become VIP but they are not allowed to do so. Sometimes people try to become extra smart and try to cheat the registration number system but when they enter the doctor’s room they are captured by one of the our volunteers checking the registration number system. Queue jumpers are returned to their position in the registration number.

All of the volunteers and administrative staff of PakTrust are well-educated, civilized, and young with high moral characters. They know that how to talk with a patient. They know that how to treat the elderly. They know that how to work together like a team. They also know that how to handle a complicated patient. They consider the old patients as their parents or grandparents and treat them in a polite manner. We the volunteers of PakTrust call the old women as “Amma G” (Mother) and call the old man as “Baba G……” (Grand Pa!).

THE FREE EYE CAMP IN JHELUM (Oct 2011)

Recently I participated as a volunteer again in the free surgical eye camp at the Jaan Sadiq Memorial Building Jhelum (PakTrust Free Dispensary) on 22-23 October 2011. That was a hugely moving and inspirational activity. Below are the activities I participated in:

21 Oct 2011 – Day Before Eye Camp

I went to Jhelum one day before the camp (as I live in Mirpur). Along with one of the Trustees (Haji Munir Hussain), Country Manager (Faisal Shahzad) and some of the volunteers I arranged the necessary things which were to be needed during the camp days. We decided the locations for registration, parking, waiting, laboratory and set the wards. We arranged the beds and operation tables for operation theatre. We fixed the banners on the walls. We set the doctor’s room and laboratory.

22 Oct 2011 – Day 1 of Eye Camp

On the first day of the eye camp, I got up at 5:00 am. After taking shower I offered prayers and got ready for the camp. I was so excited that I could not sleep the whole night properly. After breakfast I went to the Jaan Sadiq Memorial Building. Firstly when there was a huge crowd the Country Manager asked me to do registration. When the crowd was controlled he asked me to assist in the doctor’s room . I went inside and took every patient separately to the doctor for check up one by one.

By 2:00 pm check up of all the patients were done. After that I went upstairs in localization room. I was asked to help Bilal (Supervisor of the POB Trust team) in localisng the patient before operation. During localising we also had lunch break at 4:30 pm . we finished our work at 9:00 pm. Till then 53 operations were done successfully. All the extra volunteers went home. I along with 3 other volunteers stayed there to take care of the patients staying there. After every one hour we got up and visited the wards. On that night I slept at 5:00 am and got up again at 6:30am.

23 Oct 2011 – Day 2 of Eye Camp

Muhammad Saad Mansha with Bilal (POB Trust) and Faisal Shahzad (PakTrust Country Manager) - from left to right.

The second day of the camp was rainy day. It was very cold on that day. After changing I did some photography. I photographed the patients who were operated yesterday. While doing so I was called in the doctor’s room and I again started my work to help the doctor in check up. Again at 2:00 pm I came upstairs and started helping in localising the patients.

After some time I wore the gown and requested the camp supervisor of POB Trust to go inside the operation theatre and watch the surgery. he allowed me to do so. I visited the OT and watched the surgeries. On that day I met with one of the doctors of POB Trust (Dr. Ashhal). He inspired me alot with his way of talking and with his polite manners. He was the person who was liked by every one. After completing the whole work we ( volunteers PakTrust and POB Trust team) dined together. I went to my uncle’s home. After discussing the whole activity with my brothers I slept.

24 Oct 2011 – Day After Eye Camp

Next day the camp was over but I was there early in the morning. The patients operated yesterday arrived. After their final check up, we took them to the door and bade them ALLAH HAFIZ (God protect you). On that day we also packed the things. After that we saw off the POB Trust team with our prayers.  After closing I was very sad. I was going to miss that beautiful time.

Muhammad Saad Mansha with the POB Trust and PakTrust teams

WHAT I GAINED FROM THE EXPERIENCE ???????

This is a very difficult question to describe……!!!!!! There are somethings in the world which people do for the satisfaction of their mind, soul and heart. For me working as a volunteer, for helping the people (the poor, the elderly) is the best job for the satisfaction of my mind, soul and heart. The moments when patient’s place their hands on our head, and say good words for us and when they pray to ALLAH for us are indeed THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.

I think that these moments are not only memorable for me but also for other volunteers and administrative staff of PakTrust because I have seen many times the tears of satisfaction in the eyes of the Chairperson, the Trustee and the Country Manager of PakTrust during these moments.

Patients praying after surgery for those that have made treatment possible for them

May ALLAH help PakTrust to continue its work ……………..Ameen!!!!!!!!

If you have any questions – please leave a note below. I will be happy to answer these.

By Muhammad Saad Mansha (PakTrust Volunteer).

PakTrust ran a Free Surgical Eye Camp in Jhelum on 22-23 October 2011. The following are photos from the Eye Camp. There are two albums below:

1. “Pictures from the PakTrust #FreeEyeCamp held in Jhelum 22-23 October 2011.”

2. “Pictures of some of the staff and volunteers who made the #FreeEyeCamp a resounding success.”

3. Aaj TV footage of the camp.

Jhelum Surgical Eye Camp on Aaj TV

Click on a photo to see a large image.

“Pictures from the PakTrust #FreeEyeCamp held in Jhelum 22-23 October 2011. (Album 1)”

From #FreeEyeCamp-Jhelum (Oct 2011) Pictures of Patients (Album 1), posted by PakTrust Charity on 10/24/2011 (24 items)

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher

#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 3 Summary – Dressings for patients who were operated on yesterday were opened today by the medical professionals. This concluded the amazing work by the POB Trust team who departed the camp. PakTrust volunteers and staff finished with a major cleanup of the premises and area.

#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 2 Summary: The 2 days are over. Provisional figures:

• 935 patients treated.
• 367 males & 568 females.
• 67 operations in total performed (18 patients unfit for surgery).
• 325 glasses issued.
• Medicine issued to 900 people.
• 33 patients referred to Al-Shifa Eye Hospital for further care.
• Eye care services provided by:

• 3 POB Trust Surgeons & 7 POB Trust paramedics
• 60 PakTrust Volunteers and Administrative staff.

A full report will follow soon.

#FreeEyeCamp – Next eye camp details to follow soon.

‎#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 1- Update 5: how many professionals does it take to check nearly 600 patients in a single day! And perform 53 operations (cataracts)? Would you believe all this was done by just 3 surgeons and a team of 6 technical staff – thats it. A fabulous achievement by the specialists from the Prevention of Blindness Trust (POB Trust).Please include them in your prayers – their devotion is just extraordinary.

‎#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 1- Update 4: almost 600 patients were treated on the first day of the #FreeEyeCamp in Jhelum. 53 patients were operated on. Many operations could not be performed due to various reasons (high blood pressure, sugar levels etc). How many professionals did it take to see this many people? See the next update.

‎#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 1- Update 3: Correction – apologies the last update inadvertently mentioned figures for end of the morning session. The 550 figure was for late afternoon. Final figures for the day, to follow in the next update.

#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 1- Update 2: At the end of the morning session on the first day, a staggering 550 people have been registered and checked for free eye treatment. 70 people have been identified for cataract surgery, and the first patients have already been op
erated on. The huge turn out already, shows the poverty levels in Jhelum and surrounding areas and dire need for projects like this. If you live in Jhelum and surrounding areas, and know someone that can benefit from free eye care, please get them to the PakTrust Jaan Sadiq Memorial Building today or tomorrow. Make this your good deed for the day / week / month / year! Details here. There are no plans for further Eye Camps in Jhelum in the foreseeable future so don’t let them miss out.

#FreeEyeCamp Jhelum Day 1 – Update 1: Doors opened nearly 2 hours ago. 350 people have already registered and are being attended to by eye care medical professionals. First operations to start soon. The Jaan Sadiq Memorial Building is full of life and activity and performing it’s Sadaqah Jaria obligations of helping the poor. The building in Jhelum was provided to PakTrust by Haji Munir Hussain as a legacy to his mother Jaan, and father Sadiq. Further updates to follow.

We’ll be updating here and on our Facebook page.

We just received word from our partners at the Fauji Foundation Artificial Limbs Centre, that 223 people have now benefited from PakTrust funded artificial limbs.

Whilst lives continue to be distrupted by the great earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, 223 individuals and families are benefitting from a little independence which artificial limbs provide. Artificial limbs can never replace real limbs, but they can help alleviate everyday problems a little, and give the victims a little of their life back.

A huge thanks to Fauji Foundation, our donors and army of volunteers for doing their utmost to help the earthquake victims.

Watch videos of some of the victims with their artificial limbs here.

Our favourite story so far is of a young child writing with his artifical hand just six or so short months after the earthquake.

In the midst of such carnage, this young child displayed heart-warming hope – a hope that there is life and opportunities even in the most dire circumstances. This child is an inspiration to us all.

Do you have any favourite stories from the earthquake in Pakistan, or an earthquake or disaster anywhere?

PakTrust.org is holding its next Free Eye Camp in Jhelum, Pakistan on 22-23 October 2011. We are playing this advert below on FM93 Mirpur Radio (reproduced on YouTube with PakTrust images) every 45 minutes to ensure we reach as many people as possible that may need free eye care. Our target is 100 Cataract Operations in the 2 day period. It will be an immense achievement if we are able to reach this many people to help in such a short timescale.

PakTrust.org Eye Camps provide the poor and needy with completely free medical eye care. Our partners at the POB Trust will once again provide eye care professionals and specialists to provide treatment.

Helping the poor with better vision usually is fairly low cost and very quick to implement, but has tremendous benefits, including:

• Better vision for many usually means more independence. Following simple corrective treatment or surgery, many benefit from seeing for the first time, or seeing properly in a long time, and can go on to live normal lives.

Work and employment becomes an option for some, and thus such a small investment can help start lifting people out of poverty.

• Better vision usually means less dependency on carers. Many carers themselves have the opportunity to work again.
• This continues with PakTrust’s aim of providing relatively small help for big benefits.

22-23 October 2011

For anyone who is needs eye treatment and unable to afford it. If you know someone in the Jhelum or surrounding areas, please ask them to attend the eye camp.

We do not need any donations for this Free Eye Camp in Jhelum as it is fully funded by generous donors like you.

We would be delighted if you can support the next eye camp or other charity projects in Pakistan. Please donate here and contact us to let us know how you can help us.

PakTrust partnered with UK charity “Trust for Access to Pure Water” (referred to as TAP H2O) to contribute to their SAAF- Pakistan Flood Relief Project – a project designed to provide clean and safe drinking water to victims of the Pakistan Floods 2010. TAP H2O worked with their local partner Karachi Relief Trust, a humanitarian organisation based in Pakistan, and its Pak Pani Project, to distribute the LifeStraw® units to the flood affected areas.

Flood water brings rampant water bourne diseases which can cause severe sickness or even death – as seen in Haiti following the devasting earthquake earlier in 2010. Rather than duplicate effort in developing a new project, PakTrust worked with partners committed to helping the Pakistan flood victim using innovative and cost effective methods.

Photograph: K.M.Chaudary/AP

If you would like to contribute to this project and help the Pakistan Flood victims, please click on this donate button:

Karachi Relief Trust – Pak Pani Project Video on YouTube

GoodMagazine: Good Water Video on YouTube