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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Japan has supported the construction of an eye care facility in Tehsil Havelian, District Abbottabad, to improve access to cataract surgery and basic eye treatment for local communities.
Japan Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, inaugurated the facility on Tuesday. The project was implemented by Lok Sudhar Association, a non-governmental organization working in the social sector in Havelian. The Government of Japan provided funding of 51,407 US dollars under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects programme. The grant was approved in 2024 and used for the construction of the centre and the purchase of ophthalmology equipment for diagnosis and cataract surgery.
Officials from the Embassy of Japan, members of the Lok Sudhar Association board, and representatives of the local community attended the ceremony.
Lok Sudhar Association has been working in community development for more than 25 years. Through partnerships with different donors, the organization has focused on health, education, and social welfare. With support from Japan, the association has expanded eye care services in Havelian, an area where access to cataract surgery was limited. The new facility allows patients to receive treatment within their own tehsil instead of travelling long distances.
The project addresses the medical needs of more than 350,000 people living in Tehsil Havelian and nearby areas. Since the completion of the facility, around 30,000 patients have received eye treatment within one year. During the same period, 1,260 cataract surgeries were carried out at the centre. These services have reduced costs and travel difficulties for elderly patients and families with limited resources.
Before the facility became operational, many patients faced delays in treatment due to distance, expenses, and lack of nearby services. The new centre has helped shorten waiting times and improved follow-up care for patients after surgery.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated Lok Sudhar Association on completing the project. He said that access to health care is a key focus of Japan’s assistance to Pakistan. He added that timely and affordable treatment plays an important role in improving daily life and community well-being.
The ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue supporting development initiatives in Pakistan. He also expressed hope that the eye care facility would serve local communities for years to come and further strengthen ties between the people of Japan and Pakistan.
The project reflects ongoing cooperation between Japan and local partners to address basic health needs through community-level support.