Who are we?

The Gilgit Eye Hospital is directed by its own board, Vision International Pakistan (VIP) and operates under a protocol agreement with the Government of Pakistan.

In 1991 Vision International signed a protocol agreement with the Government of Pakistan for providing quality eye care and blind rehabilitative services to the Northern Areas. With funds from Help the Aged (a UK charity) land was purchased along the Gilgit river about one mile east of town. At the time there was only a dirt jeep track access road to the property. Zor engineers were hired to build the hospital and the structure was completed in 1995. By this time the local government had also widened and paved the access road.

In June of 1995 the doors of the Gilgit Eye Hospital were opened for patients. Over the course of the next five years a quality eye service complete with the latest technological advances, slowly emerged. Many groups and individuals have contributed generously to this enterprise. The Braxley rotary club, for example, donated a 40Kva diesel generator. One of our doctors, organized a container full of needed equipment and supplies. CBM donated a new slit lamp and several ophthaloscopes. The German embassy in Islamabad donated money for an Ascan ultrasound. Earth Mission, an American non profit organization raised money for several pieces of equipment including a new autoclave, portable slit lamp, photocopy machine. A New Zealand optometrist raised the money to set up a quality optical workshop. Our American ophthalmologist was responsible for bringing a brand new YAG laser and two used phaco machines to the hospital. Similarly many other individuals have given generously to the overall support of GEH.

Several other changes have taken place along the way. A local board was formed in 96 to help guide and support the function and overall direction of the hospital. In 1999, with a grant from an American Lions club, the Gilgit Blind School began by conducting a survey of many of the local villages to determine the need for a rehabilitative service. They quickly identified over 90 people who could benefit from such a service and the following year Gilgit Blind School opened their doors.

In 2000, another program was started to address the need of Lady Health Visitors (LHV's) and local drug dispensers for training in eye care. These primary health care workers spent a week in GEH receiving lectures, observing in the clinic and surgery. This proved to be a very popular course and we had nearly a hundred people through the course.

By 2002 we were in desparate need of more space to expand our programs. After successful fundraising, in 2003 building started to expand our patient waiting room, canteen and office block. Extra tuition rooms were also added to the blind school.

As we look to the future, we are looking at how to strategically tackle avoidable blindness in the Northern Areas in conjunction with the WHO 20/20 program.