Govt to expand access to primary eye care for up to 60m people
LAHORE: Pakistan has announced a key national commitment at the Global Summit for Eye Health, pledging to expand access to primary eye care for up to 60 million people by 2030 through the scale-up of Advanced Primary Eye Care (APEC) services across the country.
With Pakistan’s population projected to reach nearly 277 million by 2030, the government will make at least 150 additional Rural Health Centres (RHCs) operational as APEC centres, each staffed by a trained optometrist and equipped to provide eye examinations, refraction services, early detection of cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, primary low-vision care and referral services.
The commitment aims to bring essential eye care closer to communities, particularly those living in rural and underserved areas, women, and persons with disabilities.
The announcement comes as new data from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)’s Vision Atlas highlights the significant social and economic benefits of investing in eye health in Pakistan.
According to IAPB’s Value of Vision analysis, an investment of USD148 million in eye health between 2026 and 2030 could generate USD709 million in economic benefits, avert 367 deaths among older adults, prevent more than 43,000 cases of depression, and deliver an equivalent of more than 32,000 additional years of schooling.
Alongside expanding services, Pakistan has committed to strengthening the eye health workforce by establishing or enhancing four public-sector optical technician training programmes and training at least 200 optical technicians by 2030. The country will also integrate harmonised eye health indicators into its District Health Information System, enabling routine monitoring of services and progress towards global eye health targets.
As a key organisation working to expand access to eye care in Pakistan, Sightsavers has been advancing community-based approaches to improve access to vision services, particularly for underserved populations.
MunazzaGillani, Director for Pakistan and the Middle East at Sightsavers, said, “Basic eye care, such as glasses, cataract surgery, and treatment for trachoma and river blindness, can change lives. It helps children learn, enables people to earn a living, and restores independence. We envision a world where no one is left behind, regardless of income, gender, background, or circumstances. Turning that vision into reality is our shared responsibility. No single organisation can achieve this alone. By working together with government, partners, and communities, we can extend eye care services further and reach more people, including those in the most remote areas. Eye care is a practical way to transform lives today while building a healthier, more equitable future for generations to come.”
The commitment was unveiled at the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health, where governments, development partners and health leaders gathered to accelerate action against avoidable sight loss worldwide.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026