Origination
The FIMA Save Vision (FSV) program, initiated in response to the Darfur crisis in 2004, has evolved into a global effort to combat preventable blindness. Led by renowned ophthalmologists, the program has established eye care facilities and conducted training workshops across Africa and Asia. Notable achievements include the creation of eye hospitals in Sudan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Somaliland, as well as the implementation of training programs for local medical personnel. The program has significantly improved access to eye care, reduced cataract surgery waiting times, and trained numerous eye specialists, thereby enhancing healthcare infrastructure in underserved regions. FIMA Save Vision’s efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards and have inspired additional initiatives under the FIMA umbrella, demonstrating the transformative power of international collaboration in addressing public health challenges.
Darfur Crisis
- The Darfur crisis of 2004, a total of 2 eye surgeons were available for a population of 4 million people and there was no eye surgeon available for 2 million people. Free eye camps were conducted under FIMA in North Darfur and West Darfur, during January 2005, performing a total of 500 eye surgeries.
- On the behest of the Sudanese government another free eye camp was carried out in the region of west Darfur which did not have any eye surgeon or equipment. Under FIMA 500 cataract surgeries were successfully conducted and another 1005 successful cataract surgeries were accomplished in the subsequent weeks.
First FIMA Eye hospital
- The first FIMA Eye hospital was established in West Darfur (Genea) in the successive months of the above-mentioned eye camp to cater to the remaining 1000 patients and the general population of West Darfur. According to the latest reports more than 10,000 cataract surgeries have been performed in this hospital.
- In 2006, a team of doctors from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Egypt and South Africa performed eye camps in Gadarif and Kasala(Sudan) successfully conducting 1000 cataract surgeries.
FIMA Save Vision
Statistics
Eye Camps
Sight Restoring Surgeries
OPD's
Screenings of School Children
Prisons Covered
Prisoners Checked
Graduated In Diploma and Master Degree Program
Schools Covered
Successful Free Eye Camps Conducted In:
FIMA Eye care centre in Putallam
- Establishment of FIMA Eye care centre in Putallam, Sri Lanka in 2008 greatly enhanced the overall eye care facilities for the local population leading to thousands of successful eye surgeries and training of local doctors.
Afghanistan's First-Ever Vitreo-Retinal Surgical Unit
Afghanistan lacked a single vitreo-retinal surgical setup, forcing patients needing retinal surgeriesto travel to Pakistan or India, incurring significant expenses. To address this issue, Afghanistan’s first-ever vitreo-retinal surgical unit was established in 2022 at Al-Noor Eye Hospital in Kabul. POB Trust and Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan sponsored this project by providing the unit with the latest surgical microscope, phaco machine, vitrectomy, and laser machines.
Somalia and Somaliland vitreo-retinal setup
Somalia and Somaliland similarly lacked a vitreo-retinal surgical setup, forcing patients to travel to neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, or as far as India, which involved significant expenses. To address this issue, an advanced ophthalmic surgical training center was established in 2023. A surgical microscope compatible with retinal surgery was purchased from Pakistan, and a phaco-vitrectomy machine was acquired from Switzerland through a Turkish vendor. Both machines were installed at Manhal Specialty Hospital in Hargeisa. To date, two Phaco Training and Oculoplastic surgical camps have been organized, where local eye specialists were trained in microsurgical techniques by visiting consultants from Pakistan.
Report of Ophthalmic Activities IMAN Save the Vision Committee, Nigeria (August 2024 – July 2025)
Cataract Surgeries: Thousands of surgeries were performed across Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Borno states, significantly reducing the burden of avoidable blindness. Glasses Distributed: Over 2,000 pairs of glasses were provided to individuals with refractive errors. Drug Distribution & Treatment: More than 3,000 patients received medications for various eye conditions. Screening & Outreach: Mass screenings conducted, especially in Niger State, where 2,000 people benefited in 2024.
