RAWALPINDI, Oct 26 (APP):Al-Shifa Trust (AST) Eye Hospital has sought a partnership with Qatar Charity to provide free eye treatment to Somali patients, support a planned eye care and research centre in Lahore, and expand international medical training opportunities.
The initiative emerged during a four-day networking visit to Doha by an AST delegation led by its President, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rehmat Khan, which also explored reviving the Trust’s Gulf Chapter in Qatar to strengthen fundraising and engagement with overseas Pakistanis.
During a meeting with Jassim Mohammed Al-Sumaiti, Qatar Charity’s General Supervisor for Pakistan, the two sides discussed potential cooperation in healthcare, human resource development and professional training. Al-Sumaiti appreciated the Trust’s humanitarian mission to prevent blindness and expressed interest in supporting its work in multiple areas.
Under a proposed arrangement, Qatar Charity would cover the full cost of treatment for Somali patients. The AST President also proposed a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement to facilitate patients from Qatar.
The discussions also covered possible support for the Trust’s planned eye care and research centre in Lahore, specialised training for doctors and a potential nurse exchange programme.
Qatar Charity representatives indicated that they might visit Pakistan in November, ahead of Ramzan, while the Trust planned follow-up discussions with the charity’s Islamabad office.
The proposed partnership could improve access to specialised eye care for Somali patients unable to afford treatment and create opportunities for Pakistani medical professionals to develop specialised skills through international training and exchange programmes.
During the visit, the delegation also met representatives of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar, Pakistan Welfare Forum Qatar and Pakistan Business Forum Qatar to explore institutional cooperation and fundraising opportunities.
Members of Pakistan Welfare Forum highlighted limited awareness of Al-Shifa Trust among the Pakistani diaspora and stressed the need for stronger outreach. Participants appreciated the Trust’s humanitarian work and discussed ways to promote its mission in Qatar and beyond through collaboration and engagement with like-minded individuals.
The proposed international support could also help ease financial pressures on the Trust, as inflation and rupee depreciation have increased the cost of imported medical equipment and hospital operations.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
