ISLAMABAD: OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) entered into an agreement to carry out wide-spread outreach programs for the prevention of blindness in the African region of OIC member states, says a Press release.
Both organizations agreed to organize eye camps to conduct about 200 surgeries in Banjul, Gambia and 400 surgeries in Niamey, Niger.
LRBT will select a team of highly qualified and experienced eye surgeons to conduct the eye camps, whereas COMSTECH will help in coordination between LRBT and local Health authorities of Gambia and Niger, and would reimburse the cost of medicines and consumables along with their transportation to Banjul, Gambia. Visa arrangements, visa fees, vaccination and the cost of lab tests and token of appreciation to the team members will also be provided by COMSTECH.
Islamic Development Bank, under its Alliance to fight avoidable blindness program, will support air travel along with medicines and consumables for eye camps in Niamey, Niger. The local travel and hospitality for the entire visiting team will be the responsibility of local hosts.
COMSTECH was established by the Third Islamic Summit of OIC held at Makkah, Saudi Arabia in January 1981. The core mandate of COMSTECH is to strengthen cooperation among OIC member states in science and technology, and enhance their capabilities through training in emerging areas, undertake follow-up-actions and implementation of the resolutions of the OIC, and to draw up programs and submit proposals designed to increase the capability of the Muslim countries in science and technology.
LRBT is an organization committed to prevent the suffering caused by blindness and other eye ailment in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, COMSTECH and Najmus Saquib Hameed, Chairman, LRBT signed this agreement in Karachi.
