Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
In December 2010, the Chinese Government pledged that 1,000 cataracts operations would be undertaken by Chinese surgeons. This was declared by the Pakistani Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, during a press conference on Hu Jiantao's visit to Pakistan. On September 28, 2011, the Chinese Government and the Government of Pakistan signed letters of exchange that codified a RMB 7 million grant commitment for this project. Then, on December 7, 2011 an 8-member Chinese medical team arrived in Islamabad to carry out the first 500 free cataract operations in Pakistan. The team was led by Mr. Song Xudong, Chief Physician of Beijing Tongren Hospital. The visit was organized by the 'Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries'. The team stayed in Pakistan until December 18, 2011. The project was part of China's 'Bright Light Tour'/'Bringing Light Tour' [or '光明行'(Guangmingxng)]. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian visited the patients who received the treatment. Then, in April 2012, a second team consisting of 7 eye surgeons -- and led by by Prof Wang Jum from Beijing Tongren Hospital -- arrived in Pakistan. They operated operated upon 250 patients at Mayo Hospital, Lahore from April 18-21, 2012. They later operated on 80 patients at the Civil Hospital of Karachi (KCH). An addition 200 patients (approximately) were registered and they stayed at KCH from April 23-27, 2012. By April 26, 2012, the Chinese surgeons had successfully completed the their 1008th cataract operation in Pakistan.