KARACHI: Hundreds of blind patients have undergone eye surgery and regained vision in Khairpur, Sindh, during a medical campaign by King Salman Relief Center.
Over 5,000 outpatients have been examined and 550 operated on since Sunday, Medical Superintendent (MS) Khairpur, Dr. Kaleemullah Memon, told Arab News on Thursday.
“Eyes are a blessing, I cannot express in words how happy we are with this campaign against blindness in our impoverished district, where expensive treatment is unaffordable for the majority,” he said, as he praised the campaign: “This is such a great initiative. The people are very happy and thankful to the Saudi government.”
Rizwan Ahmed Baloch, manager of the camp, said the patients also received free medicines and glasses.
“There is a massive response, showing how important this camp is for the local community,” Baloch told Arab News.
The five-day campaign to combat blindness will run through Thursday.
Dr. Nafisa Shah, central information secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and a National Assembly member from Khairpur, said she visited the camp on Monday and was impressed with the facilities offered to the patients.
“I am thankful to KSRelief for its services to the people of my area,” she said, adding she would request King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to not only repeat this campaign but also hold screenings for other diseases, especially hepatitis.
On Tuesday, KSRelief said on Twitter that the eye procedures conducted during the Kharipur campaign included lens replacement surgery.
The five-day campaign to combat blindness will run through Thursday.