KARACHI- Hashmanis Medical & Welfare Foundation (HMWF), in collaboration with World Memon Organization (WMO) has joined hands with Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society to receive 200 corneas every year for needy patients in Pakistan.
These corneas will be transplanted anywhere in Pakistan, irrespective of gender and caste. This surgery normally costs around Rs, 2,00,000/-, however with this initiative, underprivileged patients can now restore their vision free of cost and have a chance of living a perfectly normal life.
This was announced by Chairman Hashmanis Medical & Welfare Foundation, Renowned Eye Surgeon Dr. Sharif Hashmani, during a press briefing held at Hashmanis Hospital Karachi.
CEO Hashmanis Group of Hospitals, Mr. Arsalan Hashmani was also present at the occasion. He informed that, so far, six cornea replacement surgeries have been successfully performed with more to come. Needless to say, the expenses of patients were fully covered through the welfare foundation.
Dr. Sharif Hashmani informed that, with the state of the art instruments and latest technology, we have successfully performed numerous surgeries that are done nowhere else in Pakistan. The Hospital is also credited with introducing several new technologies and procedures to Pakistan such as Phaco, Lasik, Femto Lasik, Femto Cataract, Phakic IOL, etc.
Hashmanis Medical and Welfare Foundation has been providing charitable eye & medical care services since 1979, with a mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual, residing in Pakistan.
Sharing foundation achievements, Dr. Sharif Hashmani added that, thousands of free eye and medical camps are organized every year across Pakistan. Over 1 million surgeries are performed till date. Over 6,00,000 eye sight glasses are distributed. Over 7 million patients are diagnosed and treated free of cost. HMWF is the first welfare organization to introduce phaco in eye camps in 1995 and IOLs. Hashmanis is the first and currently the only eye hospital providing refractive surgeries (Lasik) free of cost.
Furthermore, Dr. Hashmani added that, this foundation also sponsors hundreds of patients monthly for medical checkups and surgeries at the Hashmanis tertiary care hospital in Saddar, Karachi. This hospital provides free medical services in over 25 specialties, such as; gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedic, general surgery, orthopedics, diagnostic services, pediatrics, dental surgery, ICU/NICU, ventilation, Ent, laboratory and other allied specialties, he added.
Foundation is also focusing on teaching and trainings, research and development, core research, prodigy research scholarships and have representation of foundation at international forums.
About future plans, he shared that their College of Optometry consist of the following specialties; optometrist, orthoptist, medical technologist, ophthalmic technologist whereas Institute of Ophthalmology will have MS, Diploma and Fellowship in Ophthalmology.
Soon, Hashmanis will be opening an Eye Hospital in Thatta, while renovation and extension of Ranchore line, Gulistan-e-Johar and North Karachi hospital will start soon.
Dr. Sharif Hashmani added that, the foundation runs mostly on donations, regularly contributed by philanthropists from different walks of life. Though the pool is small but, the foundation is working to attract more philanthropists towards these great causes.