Standard Chartered Bank to invest US$1 million for Seeing is Believing programme in Pakistan

Karachi, February 12, 2015 (PPI-OT): As part of avoidable blindness programme Seeing is Believing Standard Chartered has announced that it will invest US$1 million for the Seeing is Believing programme in Pakistan which will benefit approximately 1 million people across the country.

This project will be implemented in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with government and non-government partners within the framework of National Eye Health Plan of Pakistan. The overall aim of this project is to treat men and women who are known diabetics, are screened for Diabetic Retinopathy and treated for sight threatening retinopathy (STDR).

The Bank, since the launch of the Seeing is Believing programme in 2004, has invested approximately USD 3.3 million to help alleviate avoidable blindness from Pakistan. Through the various initiatives under the programme we have impacted the lives of almost 11 million people across Pakistan. A 20 percent reduction in cataract blindness in Pakistan is attributable to this programme.

Commenting on the initiative Shazad Dada, Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Pakistan said, “I am proud to be affiliated with a bank like Standard Chartered that is making a sizeable difference in Pakistan through its avoidable blindness programme, seeing is believing.

With the launch of Phase 5 we aim to reach a million Pakistani men and women who are diabetic and treat them through early detection to prevent visual impairment.” In recognition of the Bank’s efforts, the Government of Pakistan has also made the Bank a partner of the National Steering Committee for Eye Health.

For more information, contact:
Farhan Ahmed
Head of Corporate Communications
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
1st Floor, New Jubilee Insurance Building,
I. I. Chundrigarh Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-32450239
Cell: +92-334-3239399
Email: Farhan.ahmed@sc.com
Website: www.sc.com