January 16, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: Afghanistan has one of the highest rate of blindness prevalence in the world, which is about two per cent.

This was stated by the head of international relations of Afghan government, Dr Abdullah Fahim, while accompanying the Afghan health minister during a visit to Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital on Wednesday.

The health minister, Dr Gen Sohaila Siddiq, and other visitors were taken to different sections of the trust, including Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology, A. Q. Khan Research Centre and Al-Shifa Community Centre of Ophthalmology.

Dr Fahim said, out of over 300,000 patients suffering from cataract, only 6,500 could be operated annually due to lack of proper facilities.

The Afghan government intends to reopen Al-Noor Eye Hospital at Kabul, which was damaged during the war, he added.

He said the hospital building would be renovated by the end of March, however necessary equipment as well as teachers were needed to run the hospital.

“In case Afghanistan and Pakistan reach an agreement, few Pakistani teachers will soon leave for Afghanistan to train doctors at the Al-Noor teaching hospital.”

Referring to Al-Shifa eye hospital, Dr Fahim said the hospital was one of the unique institution in the region.

He said, being a poor country, Afghanistan could not afford tertiary level facilities, therefore it was trying to provide primary health facilities to the people.

On the occasion, the president of Al-Shifa trust, Lt-Gen Jahandad Khan (retired), said Pakistan had always helped Afghan brothers in the hour of need and it was ready to help in the restoration of eye hospital as well as sending doctors, but the Afghan government should ensure security and safety of Pakistani doctors.

There is a great need of trained manpower like ophthalmologists and allied professionals, he added.