Al-Shifa Trust Treats 1.26 Million Patients as Eye Care Demand Rises
The charity plans to expand its Rawalpindi outpatient capacity to 5,000 patients a day as annual funding needs climb to Rs6 billion
Al-Shifa Trust expands eye care services as patient numbers rise across its hospital network.
RAWALPINDI, August 21: Al-Shifa Trust’s seven eye hospitals provided healthcare services to 1,267,657 patients during the 2025-26 financial year, according to its latest performance report.
The growing number of patients has prompted the trust to expand outpatient services at its Rawalpindi hospital.
Community outreach remained an important part of the trust’s work. Its teams examined 664,668 people through eye screening programmes and medical camps.
Another 37,739 people underwent screening for diabetes and hypertension. The initiative aims to detect conditions that can contribute to vision loss at an early stage.
Rawalpindi Hospital Expands OPD Capacity
Al-Shifa Trust plans to convert an existing tower at its Rawalpindi facility into a modern OPD-3.
Trust President Major General (Retired) Rehmat Khan said the expansion would respond to the growing patient load.
The new department will accommodate another 800 patients each day. This will raise the hospital’s total outpatient capacity to 5,000 patients daily.
“OPD-3 will ease the burden on OPD-1 and OPD-2,” Rehmat Khan said.
He added that the trust’s policy of providing free treatment with respect and dignity gives people access to quality eye care despite financial limitations.
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More Than 55,000 Cataract Surgeries Performed
Al-Shifa Trust provided a wide range of ophthalmic services during the financial year.
These included outpatient consultations, refraction, spectacles, follow-up care and diagnostic investigations. Patients also received laser treatment, general surgery and other specialized eye care.
The trust performed 55,314 cataract surgeries during FY2025-26.
Specialists also carried out 784 corneal transplants during the year.
Another major area of work involved premature infants. Medical teams treated 1,548 cases of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), helping prevent avoidable blindness among newborns.
Annual Funding Requirement Reaches Rs6 Billion
The trust spent nearly Rs5 billion during FY2025-26 to maintain its healthcare services and programmes.
Rising demand is expected to push its financial requirements higher next year. Al-Shifa Trust estimates that it will need around Rs6 billion during the coming financial year.
The additional funding will support hospital operations and facility upgrades. It will also help expand community outreach and meet the increasing demand for treatment.
Lahore and Quetta Expansion Plans
The completion of the Al-Shifa Lahore Eye Hospital is expected to help reduce pressure on existing facilities.
Rehmat Khan said the trust also plans to establish a major eye hospital in Quetta.
The proposed facility would expand access to specialized eye care in Balochistan. It would also help the trust respond to future healthcare needs.
Al-Shifa Trust says its services depend heavily on public support and donations.
Rehmat Khan particularly acknowledged overseas Pakistanis for their contributions.
He urged philanthropists, individuals and wider society to support efforts against blindness.
“The challenge of blindness is immense,” he said, calling for continued support for the trust’s healthcare mission.
