History
LRBT’s journey
Founders
Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Graham Layton (1917-1999) was a British-Pakistani Army officer, businessman, and philanthropist. He co-founded the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) in 1984. Layton’s dedication to philanthropy earned him numerous honours and accolades, including the Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam in 1990 and a CBE in 1994.
Zaka Rahmatulla (1919-1989) was a successful businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) in 1984 alongside Graham Layton. Motivated by his own experience of losing sight in one eye, Rahmatulla was dedicated to providing free eye care for the underprivileged in Pakistan.
History
“All treatment at LRBT should be free so that no man, woman or child goes blind because they cannot afford treatment.”
Our founding principle
After retiring from successful business careers, close friends Graham Layton and Zaka Rahmatulla established the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust in December 1984 to alleviate the suffering caused by blindness and visual impairment. They understood the burden of eye disease for the poor in terms of financial costs and loss of productivity. They opted to provide healthcare, one of the most neglected services in Pakistan. As Zaka had lost vision in one eye, a hospital for eye disease was their natural choice.
With the support of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, known today as Sightsavers and an initial personal investment of one million rupees, they set up their first mobile eye clinic in a converted trailer in Tando Bago, Sindh. 11,699 patients sought eye treatment in the first year of operation.
That same year, construction began on the first hospital in Korangi, Karachi, which was inaugurated by Princess Alexandra, the Chairperson of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind in 1987. The Lahore Township hospital was opened the same year. Sadly Zaka died on 17th August 1989 but his legacy lives on with a vast health infrastructure across all four provinces of Pakistan.
In recognition of his service to the people of Pakistan, Graham Layton was awarded the Sitare-Quaid-e-Azam by the president of Pakistan, Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1994. He was also was awarded a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II to honour his philanthropic service. Graham Layton died on 7th March 1999 and while the founders are no longer with us, LRBT continues to thrive.
From their humble mobile unit in Tando Bago, both men recognised the vast underserved need for free eye care treatment and envisioned a national provision for the poor and underprivileged across Pakistan.
Over the past 40 years, LRBT has grown to include 20 hospitals and 61 clinics, treating over 57 million patients, having performed over 5.5 million eye surgeries.
Milestones
1980
Zaka suffers sight loss
Zaka Rahmatulla develops a tumour and loses the sight in his left eye, providing him with the lived experience of life with sight loss.
1982
Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (RCSB) withdraws from Pakistan
RCSB’s withdrawal from Pakistan is a devastating blow as they delivered many eye care programmes for the poorest across the country. Graham offers financial support if RCSB will match fund it and embarks on his mission to eliminate blindness.
1984
LRBT and GLT are established
Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) and Graham Layton Trust (GLT) are established and registered in Pakistan and the United Kingdom respectively. Both founders donate half million rupees each.
1985
First mobile clinic is operational in Karachi
First mobile clinic in Tando Bago, Karachi offers free eye examinations and cataract surgery.
1986
First hospital opened in Korangi, Karachi
First purpose built hospital with European standard facilities is opened offering free eye care for the underprivileged who cannot afford treatment.
1989
Zaka Rahmatulla died on 17th August 1989
Zaka Rahmatulla died a few years after establishing the charity and was survived by 2 daughters. The same year Graham suffers a stroke but after rehabilitation, continues the mission.
1990
Graham Layton is awarded the Sitare-Quaid-e-Azam
Graham Layton is awarded the Sitare-Quaid-e-Azam by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan for Services to the People of Pakistan.
1993
LRBT hospitals are accredited with teaching hospital status
LRBT’s hospitals in Karachi and Lahore are accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for MCPS and FCPS in Ophthalmology
2000
First cornea transplants are performed
LRBT is accredited and begins providing cornea transplants with organs from abroad while beginning a campaign to increase cornea donation in Pakistan
2008
10 million patients treated milestone
Mati ur Rehman was our 10 millionth patient and was treated for cataracts in both eyes. For Mati this has meant the difference between inclusion and exclusion at school and the difference between seeking a livelihood in adulthood or dependency.
2012
First paediatric unit is established
LRBT’s hospital in Korangi sets up a dedicated paediatric unit with exclusive paediatric wards and specialist trained staff
2013
Abdul Sattar Edhi dies donating corneas to LRBT
Edhi led by example, donating his corneas to break the taboos around organ donation and encourage the people of Pakistan to donate organs after they die.
2019
LRBT provides oculoplasty and eye reconstruction surgery
LRBT is accredited and begins proving oculoplasty and reconstructive surgery to help patients suffering with disfigurement from eye disease
2022
50 million patients are treated milestone
This milestone cements LRBT’s reputation as the largest premier free eye care provider for the poor and underprivileged of Pakistan.
2024
20th hospital opens in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab
The network now has 20 purpose built hospitals and 61 clinics across Pakistan, establishing facilities for the most underserved communities, granting them access to health care.
