ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has pledged to bring essential eye care services within the reach of up to 60 million people by 2030.
The plan will convert at least 150 rural health centres into specialised primary eye care facilities focusing on underserved communities.
The commitment was revealed at the Global ‘ Summit for Eye Health. Pakistan has also committed to boost the eye health workforce to improve service monitoring and widen access for women, rural residents and people with disabilities.
With Pakistan’s population projected to reach nearly 277 million by 2030, the government will operationalise at least 150 additional Rural HealthCentres (RHCs) as Advanced Primary Eye Care (APEC) centres, each staffed by a trained optometrist and equipped to provide eye examinations, refraction services, early detection of cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, primary low-vision care, and referral services.
According to a statement by Sightsavers, the initiative seeks to close gaps in eye care access in remote regions where people struggle to get timely exams and treatment.
Pakistan will also strengthen at least four public sector optical technician training programmes training 200 technicians by 2030.
Harmonised eye health indicators will be added to the District Health Information System to track service delivery and progress toward global goals.
The commitment requires every APEC centre to achieve 100 per cent reporting compliance.
District and subdistrict eye units must reach at least 95pc. Disability inclusion measures will be embedded in facilities, training and service delivery.
New analysis by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) shows that investing in eye health can bring economic and social gains. The Value of Vision study estimates that $148 million invested in Pakistan’s eye health sector from 2026 to 2030 could yield $709 million in benefits.
The investment could also save 367 older adult lives, prevent over 43,000 cases of depression and add 32,000 extra years of schooling, the analysis added.
Munazza Gillani, director for Pakistan and the Middle East at Sightsavers, said basic eye care services such as spectacles, cataract surgery and treatment for trachoma and river blindness can change lives. Theyhelp children learn and let people earn a living and restore independence. She said giving more people access needs governments, development partners and communities to work together especially to reach those areas. Staff Reporter