LAHORE: King Edward Medical College Professor of Ophthalmology Asad Aslam Khan says a survey conducted by the National Trachoma Task Force in 54 districts of Pakistan has revealed that one of the major causes of blindness is the disease of Trachoma.

He said this while addressing launching ceremony of Mass Drug Administration for Trachoma under global elimination of trachoma organised by the task force at a local hotel here on Saturday.

Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khwaja Salman Rafique, International Trachoma Initiatives Director Mr. Paul Emerson and a number of experts from all over the country attended the ceremony.

Prof Asad Aslam Khan, who is also chairman of the National Committee for Eye Health Pakistan, said the percentage of the disease was very high in Kamber Shahzad Kot and Chitral.

He said a plan was given final shape to administer medicine to the affected people to eradicate the disease. He said a multinational pharmaceutical would provide medicine.

On this occasion, Salman Rafique appreciated the efforts and collaboration of National Trachoma Task Force, National Committee for Eye Health Pakistan, WHO, ITI and Fred Hallows Foundation Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2017