COAVS and Fred Hollows Foundation strengthen efforts to combat blindness in Pakistan

The College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) Lahore is advancing its mission to eradicate all forms of blindness in Pakistan through a longstanding partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation Australia. 

Since 1998, this collaboration has been pivotal in promoting quality eye care and vision restoration across the country.

Andrew Hartwich, Director of Quality and Learning at the Fred Hollows Foundation Australia, recently visited COAVS to evaluate ongoing and future programs in Pakistan. 

During his visit, a strategic meeting was held to discuss the foundation’s five-year vision restoration strategy. 

Key stakeholders, including country manager Farooq Awan, program advisor Rasheen Chaudhry, and COAVS Principal Prof Dr Muhammad Moin, participated in the discussions.

Hartwich expressed his appreciation for COAVS's efforts, led by Prof Dr Muhammad Moin, and commended the impactful partnership. 

He expressed optimism that the shared passion and strategic approach would enable the team to effectively address treatable eye diseases.

Prof Dr Muhammad Moin briefed Hartwich on various vision-related initiatives and highlighted the foundation’s critical role in these efforts. 

He emphasized the importance of a robust Data Management Information System (MIS) for long-term planning and recommended integrating AI tools to detect diabetic retinopathy, revolutionizing diagnostic capabilities.

It is worth noting that in 2023, the Fred Hollows Foundation, in collaboration with the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences, performed more than 17,000 vision-restoring cataract surgeries in Pakistan, screened more than 213,000 people, distributed more than 11,000 pairs of eyeglasses, and trained more than 2,000 community health workers and teachers. 

Last year, it conducted community health and school education programs for more than 200,000 adults and children in Pakistan.