Our work in Pakistan
Sightsavers began working in Pakistan in 1985, and opened a country office in 1998. Our focus is treating eye conditions and making sure people with disabilities are included in education and work.
Pakistan is the fifth most populated country in the world, yet almost 30 per cent of the population live in poverty.
Recent studies in Pakistan have found that there is an inextricable link between blindness and poverty: the prevalence of total blindness in poor areas was more than three times of that in affluent areas. Studies have also found that four million children in the country have a vision impairment.
Sightsavers aims to ensure everyone can be treated for eye issues. We’ve trained more than 85,000 Lady Health Workers to provide health care in the community for conditions including refractive error and cataracts. We’ve also trained more than 40,000 teachers to screen children in schools.
In collaboration with provincial partners, we’ve established seven paediatric ophthalmology centres, and trained thousands of opthalmologists and surgeons.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
We also partner with local and national organisations to improve the rights of people with disabilities in the country and make sure they are not excluded from society, work or education.
Over 20 years Sightsavers has run numerous projects on inclusive education, including training teachers on how to include children with disabilities in the classroom, establishing the first-ever model inclusive technology lab at school and university level and equipping government institutions with accessible IT software and braille books for students with visual impairments.
In January 2020, Pakistan signed its first ever law which protects the rights of people with disabilities.
How we’re making a difference in Pakistan
School eye screening
Sometimes a simple pair of glasses can change a child’s life. Sightsavers has been training teachers to screen children for vision problems.
Disability rights
Disability rights are high on the UN’s agenda – Country director Munazza Gilani looks at Pakistan’s priorities in the coming years.
Reaching everyone
Sightsavers’ Guillaume Trotignon visited Pakistan to see whether people living in urban slums in Lahore are able to get eye treatment.
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