Thursday, 19 December 2019: The BHVI Foundation in Pakistan has hosted a successful visit from the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian High Commission to a project in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi. The monitoring and engagement visit in early December 2019 provided insight and an independent view into the BHVI Pakistan projects, their effectiveness and ultimately, their eligibility for continued funding.
“The success of this visit reinforces our confidence in both the work we are undertaking through the foundation in Pakistan, and the process by which we are doing it,” says Tim Fricke, acting Executive Director BHVI Foundation. “Our people spend their lives trying to improve eye care services in some of the world’s poorest countries and it is encouraging that the people who spend their lives evaluating similar programs think ours is performing well.”
“On behalf of BHVI Pakistan, I want to express our gratitude to ANCP for their flexible and consistent support in developing affordable, inclusive and quality eye care services in Pakistan,” says Khalid Saifullah, Country Manager, Pakistan – Public Health.
Representatives from BHVI took part in a roundtable workshop hosted by the Australian High Commission in Islamabad with other project leads commissioned by DFAT on Thursday 4 December 2019.
“Being in a room with other organizations that work in Pakistan and sharing insights and challenges is incredibly valuable to the ongoing success of our work,” continues Tim Fricke. “BHVI has exceeded ANCP’s required deliverables for continued support and we are particularly proud to be meeting gender targets.”
BHVI currently has four projects in Pakistan which range from providing start up packs and training for independent optometrists to be able to provide quality care, to operating specialized pediatric services through hospitals and outreach clinics. BHVI works to provide screening services to schools and provides care to children with low vision in the Punjab region.
“We know that vision impairment is a major contributor to global poverty, and BHVI is committed to researching and implementing solutions to reverse the impact of avoidable blindness. Support from ANCP is crucial to our ability to be on the ground and active in Pakistan, and countries around the world,” says BHVI CEO Yvette Waddell.
Jo Martin
+64 21 726 933
jo@bny.com.au