ENVISIONING VISION Envisioning Vision 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT Sad Demise of Lt General (Retd.) Hamid Javaid, President, Al-Shifa Trust President Al-Shifa Trust, Lt General (Retd.) Hamid Javaid passed away on 11th May, 2019 due to cardiac arrest. He was nominated President of Al-Shifa Trust in February 2011 by the founder President of the Trust, late General Jahandad Khan before his death. Lt. General (Retd.) Hamid Javaid started his military career in 1965. He was a very devoted soldier and had the honor of being viewed as the developer of Pakistan’s main battle tanks Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid. He also had the opportunity of working as a military attaché in the Pakistan Embassy at Washington DC, USA and twice received Hilal-e-Imtiaz. His contributions are not limited towards the military rather his work in the field of philanthropy is also quite significant. Lt. General (Retd) Hamid Javaid is known for his love and undivided attention towards enriching the lives of the underprivileged with his strong leadership capabilities and vision at Al-Shifa Trust. He helped Al-Shifa reach new heights and gain a reputable name in the country. He took great interest in self- sustainable projects and extension of available services at the Trust. He took the initiative to establish Pakistan’s first ever Children Eye Hospital which is expected to start functioning by early 2020. He was indeed a great asset to the Trust and his services towards the Trust will be remembered by future generations. Sad Demise of M. Saeed Ahmad Qureshi, Founding Member, Al-Shifa Trust Mr. Saeed Ahmad Qureshi, founding Trustee and Vice President Al–Shifa Trust passed away due to cardiac arrest on Sunday, 10th March, 2019. President Al–Shifa along with the staff expressed their condolences and grief over his sad demise and lauded his services extended towards the Trust. It is worth mentioning here that alongside being the Chairman of Finance Committee at Al-Shifa, Mr. Saeed had a very rich professional background. Holding a Masters degree in Economics and a post graduate degree in Public Administration from Oxford, he joined Civil services in 1955. After his training, his professional career began as a Deputy Commissioner in Jhelum after which he was appointed as Finance Director at Fauji Foundation. He also served the Ministry of Commerce as Joint Secretary after which he was appointed as Chief Secretary of Sindh. He also served as Secretary General Finance and after his retirement, he worked with well known organizations such as UNDP, UNESCO, World Bank etc. Alongside helping Al–Shifa Trust gain the recognition it deserves, his contributions in voluntary work and human development are also noteworthy. He has served as a Governance Volunteer for civil society and also as Chairman Red Crescent. We Care For Eye Care 2 Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital June 2019 | Vol. 34 | Number 74 ENVISIONING VISION 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT Envisioning Vision Appointment of New President at Al–Shifa Trust After the sad demise of President Al–Shifa Trust, Lt. General Retd. Hamid Javaid, Major General (Retd.) Rehmat Khan has been elected as the new President of Al–Shifa Trust for the next 4 years. Having an extremely promising career, General Rehmat was commissioned in the Armored Corps where he served at several coveted positions including Command and Staff assignments. He not only commanded Merchanised Division but also had the honor of serving at General Headquarters (GHQ) as Director General. He was also awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz by Government of Pakistan. After his retirement from the Army, he made a reputable name in the corporate world. He was appointed Managing Director at Fauji Cement Company where he remained for 3 years. Later, he was appointed CEO/Country Head of Lafarge Pakistan Cement where he served as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. His contributions in the corporate sector were also recognized internationally as he was awarded French Legion of Honor by the Government of France for enhancement of trade and promotion of business between the two countries. Apart from military and corporate sector, his contributions towards serving humanity are also worth mentioning. He has been on the Board of Trustees of Al–Shifa for the last 4 years. Alongside running the family business, he and his family are also involved in multiple charity related activities. President Arif Alvi Inaugurates Pakistan’s First Ever Eye Bank Dr. Arif Alvi, President Islamic Republic of Pakistan inaugurated first Eye Bank of Pakistan of International Standards at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi on 8th May, 2019. Al-Shifa Eye Bank which is first of its kind in the entire country has been established in collaboration with Ever Sight Eye Bank USA whose representatives Mr. Collin Mark Ross, Vice President Ever Sight and Mr. Eric Heiller, Director Global Development were also present at the event. President, Dr. Arif Alvi lauded the efforts of Al-Shifa Trust for establishing services which are currently not being offered anywhere else in the country. Dr. Alvi also expressed concern towards the fact that presently, there is no method of preservation of Corneas in Pakistan and how the people are still reluctant towards eye donation. President of Al-Shifa Trust while addressing the audience stated that 250,000 people in Pakistan are suffering from Corneal Eye diseases. He also stated that 2000 corneal transplants are conducted in Pakistan annually out of which more than 800 corneal transplants are conducted at Al-Shifa Trust alone which is the largest number anywhere under one roof. We Care For Eye Care Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital 3 June 2019 | Vol. 34 | Number 74 ENVISIONING VISION Envisioning Vision 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT Dr. Wajid Ali Khan, Chief of Medical Services at Al-Shifa also shared his views with the audience on development of eye bank and greatly appreciated the efforts of both Mr. Ross and Mr. Heiller in providing technical support for the project. We Care For Eye Care 4 Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital June 2019 | Vol. 34 | Number 74 ENVISIONING VISION 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT Envisioning Vision EVENTS World Glaucoma Month Celebrated at AST Al–Shifa Trust Eye Hospital observed ‘World Glaucoma Month’ on January 16, 2019. President of Al–Shifa Trust, Lt Gen (R) Hamid Javaid graced the event with his presence alongside other prominent members of the Glaucoma department. The session was quite interactive where useful information about Glaucoma and its prevention were shared. The doctors also had one on one interaction with the patients where they addressed their queries and concerns to the best of their abilities. Annual Lunch arranged by ACCO Al–Shifa Center for Community Ophthalmology arranged an annual lunch as a goodwill gesture meant to appreciate their teams for their hardwork and endless efforts. The entire team of ACCO along with Al–Shifa’s major donor Dr. Tahira Rathore and Mr. Tahir Zafar made their way to Saidpur Village, Islamabad and celebrated their efforts in full swing. GM ACCO, Col. Tariq Usman spoke very high of both school screening and surgical camp teams to boost their morale. Furthermore, the voluntary services of Dr. Tahira Rathore were greatly appreciated by everyone. Participation of AST in Road Show by Punjab Health Foundation Al–Shifa Trust Eye Hospital participated in the road show organized by Punjab Health Foundation at Topi Rakh on 7th January, 2019. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Arif Alvi, President Islamic Republic of Pakistan. We Care For Eye Care Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital 5 June 2019 | Vol. 34 | Number 74 ENVISIONING VISION Envisioning Vision 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT UPDATES New Equipment Added at Al–Shifa Light House Light House at Al–Shifa Trust is equipped with state of the art equipment and the hospital is making all possible efforts to improve its services for the benefits of its patients. Recently, an addition of a hand held electronic magnifier known as Pebble HD has been made at the light house which is proving to be beneficial for patients who find it difficult to read routine reading material and require magnification on the go. Electro Medical Equipment Donation to JPJ Welfare Society Al–Shifa Trust donated electro medical equipment to Jalalpur Jattan Welfare Society for the establishment of eye care center in their town. The society will establish a cataract screening center in collaboration with the Trust. We Care For Eye Care 6 Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital June 2019 | Vol. 34 | Number 74 ENVISIONING VISION 28 YEARS OF SPREADING LIGHT Envisioning Vision PATIENT STORY Sajda Bibi – Khewra Coming from an extremely humble background, Sajda Bibi patiently endured the physical obstacles related to her eye. She had some issues with her left eye however due to the lack of resources and treatment from local hospitals with minimal facilities, her condition deteriorated and taking her eye out was the only option. Still determined, Sajda pushed her luck one last time and visited Al–Shifa where her eye was operated immediately. The doctors not only saved her from losing her eye but are also trying to recover her eyesight. Strengthening Skills Mr. Irfan Ali, GM Finance at Al–Shifa Trust Eye Hospital attended the ICMAP’s 23rd Director’s Training Program held at Islamabad. The 4 day modular program addressed the key governance issues such as the need to ensure due process, adequate internal controls, appropriate disclosures and transparency, proper accounting procedures, regulatory compliance as well as checks and balances. After the certification of SECP Director’s Training Program, Mr. Irfan Ali has also been registered as Fellow Member of Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMA) Pakistan.