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In a groundbreaking partnership, HF Healthcare Services, a subsidiary of Humanity First USA, has joined forces with Loyola Medicine, a distinguished member of Trinity Health, to establish a cutting-edge Ophthalmology Department at Nasir Hospital in Guatemala. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the prevalent issue of visual impairment in the region and reflects the organizations’ shared commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to underserved communities.
Humanity First USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing lives both within the United States and abroad, founded Nasir Hospital in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, in 2018. The hospital has since served as a beacon of hope for thousands of patients, offering essential medical services and contributing to the betterment of the local healthcare infrastructure.
Loyola Medicine, renowned for its half-century legacy of medical excellence and education, brings its extensive experience and expertise to this partnership. With Loyola University Medical Center as its cornerstone, the medical institution has been a pioneer in medical and surgical care, consistently delivering compassionate and innovative healthcare services.
The partnership aims to tackle the prevalent issue of visual impairment that disproportionately affects the population in Guatemala. National surveys and health reports reveal that visual impairment among adults in Guatemala is nearly twice as prevalent as in the United States. Cataracts, refractive errors, and diabetic retinal complications are among the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the country.
Through the establishment of a world-class Ophthalmology Department at Nasir Hospital, the collaborative effort between HF Healthcare Services and Loyola Medicine is set to make a significant impact. The Department is scheduled to begin operation in early 2024 and will bolster Nasir Hospital’s diagnostic and surgical capabilities, providing comprehensive eye care services to those in need.
Majid Khan, CEO of HF Healthcare Services, expressed the partnership’s potential: “We can bring the best eye care in the world to Guatemala through a partnership with Loyola Medicine. Nasir Hospital will become an eye care destination for people in Guatemala and much further away, including for American citizens.”
Richard Freeman, MD, MBA, FACS, Executive Vice President & Regional Chief Clinical Officer at Loyola Medicine, emphasized the organization’s mission-driven approach: “Loyola Medicine is determined to provide the best, most compassionate care to our patients. We are pleased to extend our commitment to improving health so that patients in Guatemala receive the best possible care.”
The sentiment was echoed by Charles Bouchard, MD, MA, Chair of Ophthalmology at Loyola Medicine: “It is thrilling to formalize a connection between Loyola Medicine and Nasir Hospital to bring critical eye care to people from Guatemala and beyond.”
Munum Naeem, Chairman and Executive Director of Humanity First USA, highlighted the benefits this partnership would bring to the community: “Nasir Hospital serves thousands of patients each year that will benefit from this collaboration with Loyola Medicine. Loyola will enable us to bring the best in global eye care to our nonprofit hospital.”
The collaborative effort between HF Healthcare Services and Loyola Medicine reflects a shared commitment to improving healthcare access and quality in underserved regions. This partnership not only aims to address a pressing medical issue but also embodies the spirit of humanitarianism and global cooperation.
For those interested in learning more about Nasir Hospital or contributing to this impactful endeavor, inquiries can be directed to Majid Khan at majid.khan@hfhealthcare.org or Carol Eggers, Regional Director of Communications at Loyola Medicine, carol.eggers@luhs.org. Further information about Nasir Hospital can be found on their website: [https://hospitalnasir.org/](https://hospitalnasir.org/).