Bringing Vision to the Coast: IPCEC Project Illuminates Lives in Gwadar
Gwadar– Located along Pakistan’s southwestern Arabian Sea coast, is often recognized for its deep-sea port and strategic importance in international trade. Yet beyond the headlines lies a community where access to specialized healthcare remains limited — particularly in eye care.
To address this need, the Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPCEC) Project, launched by CBM (Christian Blind Mission) and implemented by the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), is transforming eye health services throughout the Gwadar district. The project combines technology, training, community outreach, and sustainability to deliver accessible and inclusive eye care.
As part of the initiative, the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Gwadar and three Rural Health Centres: RHC Ormara, RHC Jiwani, and RHC Pasni have been upgraded with essential ophthalmic equipment, including: retinoscopes (for refractive error testing), ophthalmoscopes (for retinal and optic nerve examination), autorefractors (for quick eye measurements), slit lamps (for detailed eye examination), and Lensometers (for accurate prescription measurements).
These upgrades ensure that patients can now receive advanced diagnostic services without needing to travel outside the district.
To maintain uninterrupted care in a region prone to power outages, the project solarized DHQ and all three RHCs, providing reliable energy for running ophthalmic equipment and keeping examination rooms ventilated and patient friendly.
“Now we don’t cancel procedures due to load shedding,” said an RHC technician. “The comfort of patients has also improved significantly.”
The IPCEC model engages Basic Health Units (BHUs) by training staff in primary eye screenings. These BHU-based screenings help detect eye issues early and refer patients to RHCs or DHQ for comprehensive care — helping to bridge the gap between rural communities and medical specialists.
One of the project’s most profound impacts has been in school-based eye screening programs. Many children who were silently struggling with undiagnosed vision issues are finally receiving the help they need.
Before IPCEC, students with refractive errors sat in classrooms unable to see the whiteboard clearly. Many relied on friends’ notebooks or guessed answers. Often misunderstood, these students were criticized by teachers and scolded by parents for not keeping up in school — when the real issue was simply poor vision.
Through IPCEC’s school screenings, these children were identified, referred to RHCs or DHQ, and provided with low-cost prescription glasses. The change has been dramatic — from isolation and frustration to academic confidence.
A local teacher shared, “Some of my brightest students were labeled as inattentive. Now they’re participating actively just because they can finally see clearly.”
The IPCEC project is actively mobilizing communities to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and encourage regular checkups by utilizing EPI materials like posters and brochures. Local leaders and health workers are playing a crucial role in spreading this message, ensuring greater outreach, while the project organizes eye health camps and outreach programs to make care accessible to underserved populations.
To further enhance eye care services, the IPCEC project has hired qualified optometrists to provide essential services at Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and District Headquarter Hospitals (DHQs). These professionals diagnose and treat common eye conditions, ensuring timely care, especially in remote areas, and helping identify and address vision impairments early, significantly improving the community’s overall eye health.
The project has also helped hundreds of adults — especially the elderly — reclaim their independence through free cataract surgeries. Cataract, one of the leading causes of blindness in Pakistan, is often left untreated in poor communities due to cost and lack of access.
