KARACHI, Jan 25: The eyesight of some six million Pakistanis is impaired. And some three million Pakistanis suffer from cataract, which ailment can be reversed if proper and timely intervention is undertaken.

So said the federal minister for health, M. Naseer Khan, on Saturday during a ceremony at the eye department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. A microbiological laboratory and community ophthalmological unit were inaugurated during this ceremony.

In the microbiological lab, built with funds donated by a pharmaceutical firm, research work will be undertaken to find out which infections were causing eye diseases and why. In the community ophthalmological unit, on the other hand, researchers will be generating statistical and demographic data on eye ailments.

The minister, in his speech, praised the philanthropic spirit exhibited by Karachiites. “You are lucky. The kind of philanthropic work done here cannot be found in other parts of the country,” he said.

Mr Khan urged the doctors to let the people from the rural areas benefit from the facilities available in the urban centres of the province.

He said Pakistani doctors were capable people. “Some of our doctors have performed miracles in the western countries.” However, when these same doctors returned to the country their performance suffered due to various reasons.

The government was in no position to give hefty salaries to doctors. “We simply cannot match the pay-scales of the western governments.

Most doctors complained of lack of funds. “But it doesn’t take funds for a doctor to smile. A doctor doesn’t need money to show some compassion to the patients.”

Earlier, Prof Dr Tariq Aziz outlined the projects his eye department planned to undertake. A new OPD was proposed to be built and the operation theatre was slated to be expanded.

Tahir Chaudhry, a businessman who has been donating regularly for the department’s projects, described the history of the Eyecare Society.

Javaid Hamid Nagi and Qazi Abdul Shakoor also spoke.