Prevention of Blindness Trust

Prevention of Blindness Trust, also known as the POB Trust and POB, is a project of Pakistan Islamic Medical Association. POB Trust was established and registered by Trust Act in July 2007 as a leading volunteer eye care organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight. POB Trust was declared exempted from tax in 2012 by Federal Board of Revenue (Pakistan) POB Trust endeavors to develop strategies for prevention and control of blindness and visual impairment. The prime objective of POB Trust is to promote and sustain a global campaign against all forms of avoidable blindness with emphasis on deprived communities. This initiative brings with it a great challenge and an exciting hope for all who work towards this goal. It is also a member of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight.
Activities.
The POB Trust was registered in 2007, but the organization had been working in the field from 2005. Until March 2019, approximately US$56 million had been spent on its projects of free eye care services involving 153,000 cataract surgeries of patients in 20 countries. POB Trust has been working in many areas:
POB Trust organizes free eye camps in remote areas of the country. Every camp lasts for 2 to 4 days according to the location. During each free eye camp, 1000-3000 patients are screened for cataracts and if diagnosed, they are referred for diagnostic tests including Hepatitis B, C Screening. Tests are performed free of cost in the camp. After passing these test patient goes towards surgery, and about 100-300 patients undergo the surgery in three days. Cataract-surgeries are done with Intraocular lens implantation with small incision and phacoemulsification. Reading glasses and eye drops are also distributed.
From 2005 to March 2019, the trust has achieved the following milestones: 22 countries in Asia and Africa 730 free eye camps. Over 1,418,000 patients examined and treated. Over 153,000 cataract surgeries with lens implantation. Over 1 millions of pairs of reading-glasses distributed.
Partners.
POB Trust worked in shared projects with many other organizations like Helping Hand for Relief & Development Pakistan (HHRD-Pakistan), Akhwat, Al Khidmat Foundation, Federation of Islamic Medical Associations Save Vision, Pak Trust UK, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association and with Ministry of Health Pakistan.
POB Eye Hospitals.
Karachi.
Address: C -15 Block 12, Gulistan e Johar Near Munawar Chowrangi, Karachi. 021-34156597
POB Trust activities during this period were based in 20 countries, as follows:
Countries of activities.
Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Somali land, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Niger, Indonesia, Cameroon, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Gaza Palestine, Bangladesh, South Africa, Maldives and Pakistan.
International Recognition.
1. Richard and Hinda Rosenthal award from The Rosenthal Family Foundation is given to Dr. Pervaiz Malik on Prevention of Blindness Services recognition. Date is 24 April 2009.
2. Pakistan Society of Ophthalmology award in 2011 (see category 'OSP PICO Gold Medal on page 3)
3. Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Outstanding service in prevention of blindness Award
Research Published.
1. Prevalence of Refractive Errors in a public school children of Lahore<br>2. Private Public Mix Working Model of a Teaching Hospital, Benefits for the Organizations and End users