UAE to lead fight against blindness

Dubai: The UAE on Wednesday presented a groundbreaking humanitarian initiative, Noor Dubai, aimed to treat one million blind and visually impaired persons.

The Ramadan initiative will provide health services to one million people suffering from treatable blindness and visual impairment in developing countries on a local, regional and international scale.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched Noor Dubai, designed to help the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in achieving its goals outlined in vision 2020: the Right to Sight.

"Today, at the beginning of this holy month, I am pleased to announce a personal initiative that aims to relieve the pain of millions in our region and around the world," said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Event Management Corporation, who gave the announcement on behalf of his father, Shaikh Mohammad, at Madinat Jumeirah.

"For the pain of all those forgotten in the fog of war and conflict and in the crises of market instability...I am proud to announce the launch of the Noor Dubai initiative as a gift from the UAE to the world and from the people of the UAE to their fellow brothers and sisters who are in need of help and hope," he added.

The Dubai Health Auth-ority will be in charge of implementing the Noor Dubai agenda in collaboration with two leading international organisations - the Lions Clubs International, the world's largest voluntary organisation which functions in 202 countries, and ORBIS International, a global development organisation whose mission is to treat and prevent blindness by strengthening the capacity of local eye health partners.

Combating challenges

"This initiative is inspired by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan," added Shaikh Ahmad. "He leads by example through his work and tireless effort - and guides us not to ignore the plight of the needy in the developing world, but rather support them in combating the challenges and obstacles they face.

"Noor Dubai is our latest effort demonstrating Dubai's continued commitment to being a responsible global citizen and to helping our less fortunate brethren."

The event was attended by a number of shaikhs, dignitaries, government officials, and diplomats.

"The people of the UAE have a long tradition of giving, particularly during Ramadan when they earnestly seek to be closer to God," Shaikh Ahmad said. "It is inherent of the Emirati people to do what they can to support those that are most in need. This is a crucial tenet of the Islamic principles that advocate social equality.

"Our religious duties extend beyond the pillars of our faith and include the values of loyalty, honesty, and the service of land and nation."

Providing details on the ambitious initiative, he elaborated: "Noor Dubai aims to deliver preventive eye care to over one million people as part of its drive to realise its vision of a world free from curable forms of blindness. It will endeavour to bring light to millions of people whose lives are threatened by a world of darkness.

"Just as Dubai Cares has become a beacon of hope and inspiration to many countries and international organisations, let us all come together to collectively work to ensure Noor Dubai becomes another catalyst towards a bigger international commitment to cure eye diseases and protect children from preventable forms of blindness".

Going global

In addition to the UAE, Noor Dubai will reach out to people in a number of countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and Palestine.

Through its programmes, Noor Dubai will help people suffering from three major eye diseases: cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness in the world affecting 18 million people and representing 48 per cent of the total number of blind people; strabismus that affects over five per cent of children worldwide; and corneal opacities which is responsible for the blindness of 4.9 million people.

Noor Dubai will give equal importance to preventative and awareness programmes in the UAE and outside, for raising understanding on the importance of these two approaches in the prevention of blindness.

The event commenced with a documentary about visual impairment and blindness screening interviews with visually impaired people.

The Noor Dubai initiative follows the unprecedented success achieved by the Dubai Cares campaign, which was launched last year with an overarching goal of providing primary education to one million underprivileged children around the world.

REACTIONS

Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health
What makes this a valuable initiative is that it will provide preventive eye care for thousands of people as part of its drive to realise its vision of a world free from curable forms of blindness. Recent statistics have shown that 75 per cent of eye diseases are treatable and Noor Dubai will help put an end to the suffering of thousands who are visually impaired."

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development
No doubt it'sa uniqueand benevolent initiative, especially as it comes afterthorough study about visual impairment cases worldwide. Toaid one million visually impaired persons, restore or cure their sight through a distinctive initiative, is a wonderful idea. It is an important project."

Saqr Gobash, Minister of Labour
Sight is important for each and every one of us and therefore prevention and treatment of visual impairments is a human mission. All establishments should do everything in their capacity to help visually impaired people and we at the Ministry of Labour will study ways in which we can contribute to this."

Essam Eisa Al Humaidan, Dubai Attorney General
There is nothinglike enjoying safe and normal vision which God Almighty has blessed us with. Preserving our eyesight is essential and Shaikh Mohammad's generosity will aid thousands of visually impaired people to regain their sight."

Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police
This initiative will help at least a million people to cure their visual impairments and many will have the gift of sight restored."

Maj Gen Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police
It is a humane scheme... I am confident that Shaikh Mohammad always leads others in such initiatives and Noor Dubai will have a vital impact in assisting the visually impaired."

Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Director of Knowledge and Human Development Authority
It will have long-term benefits not only for visually impaired people but for the entire society.