Plans for new eye theatre discussed with architect and builder

Urological Surgeon and Chairman of the Hashim Welfare Hospital Appeal, Idrees Awan, has returned to the UK after his recent fact finding mission to Pakistan.

Speaking about his trip Dr Awan said: “I had a very busy time during my three weeks in Pakistan.   It enabled me to meet with all the staff at Hashim Welfare Hospital both individually and in their teams.  I was also able to meet the District Police Officer for Gujurat to discuss security issues and how the Police can be involved in helping the Hospital.   I also held meetings with the chief architect and builder for the next stage of the hospital, with hospital supporters and visited another charitable hospital approx. 150 miles away.”

Hashim Welfare Hospital is located about 90 miles south east of the capital, Islamabad and 100 miles north east ofLahore.   The hospital is located in the village of Pindi Hashim where Dr Awan grew up and is in a very safe area far away from the border areas with Afghanistan, Iraq and Kashmir.   Consultants from major hospitals in Lahore now hold outpatient clinics at the hospital and provide medical cover.   Hashim Welfare Hospital provides free medical care to anyone who is unable to afford private healthcare.

Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospital engineer Mick Hickman is happy to donate his time and expertise to the project.   Plans for the new eye theatre at the Hashim Welfare Hospital were drawn up by Mick who comments: “I was pleased to be able to support this important project.  The progress over the last seven years has been remarkable and I am sure that the Eye Theatre will be a valuable addition to Hashim Welfare Hospital.”

The plans for the hospital are drawn up to meet UK standards and then modified in Pakistan to take account of local issues such as the availability of building materials.    Phase 2 of the Hashim Welfare Hospital includes X-ray and pathology services and will cost around £150,000 when finished.   Further phases provide for a dedicated theatre block for cataract and kidney stone operations, a day ward and an accommodation and office block.   The Hospital opened in June 2003 and has successful Eye and Dental departments and a child vaccination programme.

Since the hospital opened in 2003 it has treated 28,000 patients.    Further development work was delayed following the major 2005 earthquake in Pakistan when the Hashim Welfare Organisation was invited to take over the repair and running of four rural hospitals, treating 35,000 patients, and undertook relief work at Bagrool Camp.   At Bagrool the charity provided tents, blankets, quilts, sleeping bags, floor mats, metal sheets, food packs, children’s clothes and emergency cash to the victims of the earthquake.  The organisation has recently handed the rural hospitals back to local government control.

Dr Awan continued: “I am very pleased with the progress being made at the hospital.   I know from treating patients whilst I was there that local people are very pleased that the hospital is being developed to look after them.   I was even able to try out the new dental chair whilst I was there.     We are on course to start building the new eye theatre in summer 2007.  We still need further donations to complete the work and would welcome further support.”

The Annual General Meeting of the Hashim Welfare Hospital Appeal in the UK will be held in the Education Centre at St. Peter’s Hospital on Sunday 1^st July 2007 at 14:30hrs.   Everyone is welcome.    Anyone wishing to donate money to the appeal can do so by visiting www.hashimwelfare.org.uk or by contacting the UK appeal Treasurer, Mr Sajid Mahmood on 01483-762774 or 07887-851040.