Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Dinner to celebrate the Fred Hollows Foundation Pakistan Eye Health Care Program
with Dr. Rubina Gillani- Program Manager, Pakistan
(Coverage By Syed Zafar Hussain)
The Fred Hollows Foundation Sydney office worked with Mr. Bashir Malik to host a dinner event celebrating the visit to Sydney of Dr. Rubina Gillani. The dinner was funded by Mr. Bashir Malik to thank The Fred Hollows Foundation on behalf of the Pakistani community. It was held at Himalaya Restaurant, Five Dock Sydney.
The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Mr. Babar W. Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner to Australia who came especially from Canberra. Also in attendance were Gabi Hollows (Founding Director and wife of late Professor Fred Hollows), Brain Doolan (CEO, FHF) and Nigel Milan (Chair of the Board, FHF). There were over 60 people at the dinner representing a wide cross-section of the local Pakistani community. Representatives from organisations including the Pakistan Australia Association, Islamic Charities, Muslim Aid, Pakistan Muslim League & Pakistan Medical Association of Australia attended the dinner. Mr. Rehan Alvi, representative of SBS radio Urdu service, Syed Zafar Hussain Editor-in-Chief of Sada-e-Watan Sydney, Mr. Munir Mohammed Managing Editor Monthly Rabitah International & Mohammad Mehio Director Muslim Community Radio of Australia attended the dinner as media personalities. TVS filmed the event and Zahid Minhas of Dosti Radio interviewed Dr. Rubina Gillani.
Dr. Gillani has been the Pakistan Program Manager since its inception in 1998. She has worked tirelessly to eradicate avoidable blindness in Pakistan and gave an informative presentation that outlined the specific areas of her team’s work. Dr. Gillani explained the program structure and illustrated case studies with colorful photographs. Whilst the program has made an enormous difference in Pakistan, reducing the rate of avoidable blindness in the country from 2% to 1%, it is clear that there is still much work to be done.
A second presentation by Dr. Gillani advised the audience of the tremendous support that The Fred Hollows Foundation has offered and continues to offer to victims of the October 2005 earthquake. The Foundation provided food, equipment, medical supplies and manpower to assist those in need. Hundreds of tents were supplied to provide shelter and a spinal injury/amputee clinic was dedicated to provide much needed care. The evening was a success and The Foundation is extremely appreciative of donations that were made which to date total $6,000.
To make a
donation or for further information Please Contact:
Penny Tribe, Community Relations Coordinator
Tel: (02) 8741 1927 or ptribe@hollows.org
David Britton & Bashir Malik Gaby Hollows
Bashir Malik, Gaby Hollows & Ejaz Khan Zahid Minhas & Dr Rubina Gillani
Dr Rubina Gillani and Gaby Hollows High Commissioner Babar Malik with Fred Hollows Director & CEO
