Noor Dubai's visually impaired patients see snow for the first time

Dubai: More than 50 patients and family members of Noor Dubai, a charity drive aiming to deliver eye health services to over one million people worldwide, were invited to Ski Dubai where many saw snow for the first time on Friday.

Also attending the event was Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Manal, Head of the Noor Dubai Medical Team, and medical practitioners Lama Al Aswad and Reza Iranmanesh, partner doctors of Noor Dubai from Columbia University, US.

The event which was co-sponsored by Ski Dubai located at Mall of the Emirates, and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) saw beneficiaries from Lebanon, Mali, Sudan and Jordan celebrate the success of their treatment with a day in the winter wonderland.

Al Murooshid, said: "This week Noor Dubai's therapeutic programme focused on glaucoma, retina, and cataract cases and featured a number of complex surgeries. The success of these treatments coupled with the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations inspired us at Noor Dubai to arrange this special event."

For many of the patients, their visit to Ski Dubai was their first experience playing in the snow as was the case with 10-year old girl Makadji Kadiatou from Mali. Prior to arriving in Dubai, Kadiatou suffered from bilateral - cataract and was legally blind. "Today is a great day!" said Kadiatou, "For the first time in my life I am not only seeing clearly but also experiencing the wonders of snow."

Dr. Lama Al Aswad, who operated on Kadiatou, explained that without treatment Kadiatou would have continued to suffer from severe visual disability. "This week epitomised why I became a healthcare provider," said Dr. Al-Aswad. "Through Noor Dubai programming I was able to make a big difference in the lives of these children."

Ski Dubai offered complimentary passes to all the patients and their families, while representatives from the Roads and Transport Authority offered free transportation and Mall of the Emirates gift vouchers to all the patients.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Noor Dubai was launched on September 3 with the vision of a world free from preventable forms of blindness.