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HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF PIPO (From Cell to an Institute)

Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology (PIPO) started functioning as a modest Comprehensive Eye Care Cell at the Institute of Ophthalmology, King Edward Medical College (now University) / Mayo Hospital Lahore in 1999. The evolution of prevention of blindness work in the province of Punjab passed through the following phases before it finally developed into a full fledged Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology (PIPO). Till December 1998 no step was ever taken to improve the ophthalmic services at district level. In December 1998, Prof Asad Aslam Khan conducted a detailed situational analysis of ophthalmic services available at district level in Punjab with the help of Dr. Rubina Gilani, Country Manager Fred Hollows Foundation (Australia). The analysis revealed that the number of ophthalmologists was 8 times fewer than the required number; no trained ophthalmic paramedic or ophthalmic nurse was available at district level. In many districts the surgical rate was as low as 100 per year. In many districts the ophthalmologists were not trained for microsurgery and intraocular lens implantation and in many districts there was no equipment available for microsurgery and lens implantation. The results of the analysis were brought into the notice of the then Secretary Health, who immediately ordered the establishment of Comprehensive Eye Care Cell (CEC-Cell) Punjab and appointed Dr Asad Aslam Khan as Incharge of the cell. The purpose of the cell was to make different projects to improve ophthalmic services in Punjab particularly at district level. Sightsavers International (UK) provided all the funds for the establishment of CEC-Cell Punjab. In the following 4 years (1999-2003) CEC-Cell accomplished different projects worth Rs. 39.0 million towards prevention of blindness in the province of Punjab particularly at district level. All of these projects were sponsored by International NGOs & mainly focused on Human Resource Development, District Comprehensive Eye Care and Disease control.

Sr.	Activity	Amount in Rupees	Sponsored by
1	Microsurgical Training of 28 District Ophthalmologists Provision of Microscopes Up gradation of Eye Departments of DHQ Hospitals Rajanpur & Gujranwala	12.0 M	Fred Hollows Foundation Australia
2	First Ophthalmic Technician Course	1.61 M	Sightsavers International (U.K), Fred Hollows Foundation Australia, CBM-BMz Germany
3	First Low Vision Center	0.75 M	Sightsavers International (U.K)
4	First Glaucoma Diagnosis & Research Center	1.2 M	Fred Hollows Foundation Australia
5	52 Surgical Outreach activities in 28 DHQ Hospitals	1.6 M	Fred Hollows Foundation Australia
6	District comprehensive Eye Care Program (Mianwali, Bahawalnagar, D.G Khan & Layyah)	13.0 M	Fred Hollows Foundation Australia
7	Equipment to DHQ Hospital Hafizabad	3.0 M	WHO & FHF
8	National Survey of Blindness & Low Vision in Punjab	3.6 M	Sightsavers International (U.K), , Aus Aid, Fred Hollows Foundation Australia, CBM & WHO
9	Situation Analysis of District Sheikhupura	0.15 M	Sightsavers International (U.K),
10	Cataract Services Mapping in Punjab	0.04 M	Sightsavers International (U.K),
11	Trachoma Rapid Assessment in Punjab	0.28 M	Sightsavers International (U.K),
12	Computer Training Center at CEC-Cell	0.29 M	Sightsavers International (U.K),
13	Renovation of Eye Mobile Theater	0.17 M	Fred Hollows Foundation Australia & Sightsavers International (U.K)
14	Punjab Leprosy & Blindness Control Board Meetings	0.141M	Sightsavers International (U.K)
15	Provincial Networking Meeting	0.18 M	Sightsavers International (U.K)
	Total	38.01M

In 2002, Secretary Health established Punjab Leprosy and Blindness Control Board (PLBCB) and made CEC-Cell responsible for the implementation of policies of the Board regarding prevention of blindness in the province of Punjab. Based on the achievements of the CEC-Cell and with and intent to start new classes and centres, Secretary Health in 2003 proposed that the CEC-Cell should be raised to the status of Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology (PIPO). The proposal was discussed in a high level Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary. Other members of the committee were Chairman P & D Department, Secretary Finance, Secretary Health, Principal King Edward Medical College & Allied Hospitals and Incharge CEC-Cell Punjab. The committee recommended that the CEC-Cell, which is already functioning at

Foundation Stone of PIPO being laid by Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, Chief Minister of Punjab on 19th November 2003 Mayo Hospital Lahore and is a story of success in its own right, should be elevated to the status of Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology and a separate building should be constructed at Mayo Hospital Lahore. Health Minister Punjab approved the recommendations of the committee and sent for the approval of Chief Minister Punjab who not only approved the

establishment of Different phases of construction of PIPO during 2004 PIPO, but directed the concerned authorities to complete this project in six months time rather than proposed two years. The project was completed in six months. The total cost of the project was Rs 54.50 million, in which government of the Punjab contributed Rs 27.84 million for the land & construction of building, whereas the remaining amount was provided by International NGO’s like Sightsavers International UK, Aus- Aid, Fred Hollows Foundation Australia, WHO and Philanthropists in the form of equipment, furniture and vehicles.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES The objectives of establishment of Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology are to eradicate preventable blindness from the country and to achieve the goals of Vision 2020 – “The Right to Sight.” The targets will be achieved through: 1. Human Resource Development 2. District Comprehensive Eye Care Programme 3. Disease Control 4. Continuous Medical Education in Ophthalmology 5. Awareness campaigns

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