Noor Dubai benefits 33 million people globally

DUBAI: Noor Dubai Foundation, one of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, succeeded in benefiting 33 million people around the world, through its treatment, preventive and awareness programmes specialised in prevention of blindness.

This was reported during the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation annual meeting, in which an inspiring patient story was shared also documenting Noor Dubai’s journey since its launch in 2008.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted on his personal account yesterday expressing his pride in that 145,000 volunteers joined the initiatives in 2021, while he also tweeted, “proud of Noor Dubai which reached 33 million beneficiaries.”

Since its launch as an initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2008, Noor Dubai has contributed to treating those in need in 22 countries around the world, supporting humanitarian efforts and the prosperity of communities. Ater the success of the initiative in its first year, H.H. launched Noor Dubai as a Foundation in 2010.

Despite the progress achieved by Noor Dubai and other institutions in this field, there is still a need to provide eye care services to those in need. According to the statistics published by World Health Organisation, 295 million people worldwide suffer from visual impairment, 80% of them can be treated or prevented from developing visual impairment and 90% of people with visual impairment reside in developing countries.

Despite the challenges faced by the world, especially the humanitarian sector, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, Noor Dubai was able to overcome all challenges within a year and exceed its targeted beneficiaries to reach 33 million beneficiaries in a short period of time.

Noor Dubai Foundation’s programmes focus on supporting the acceleration of the UN sustainable development goals No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 17 by developing programmes and strategies for eye health in Africa and Asia that aim to empower the local community to control the disease, which will have a positive impact on the economic development of the countries where the treatment has taken place.

At a national level, the Foundation provides free eye screenings and consultations to the UAE community through the Mobile Eye Clinic programme, which has benefited 30,050 patients since the launch of the programme in 2014.

The clinic aims to deliver eye examinations to patients in their places in various regions of the country through the implementation of preventive campaigns.