Noor Dubai’s programmes benefit 33 million since 2008

Noor Dubai Foundation, a member of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), continued to make significant strides in its mission to combat preventable blindness and visual impairment in 2024.

According to its annual report, Noor Dubai has improved the lives of over 33 million people across Asia and Africa since its launch in 2008, with flagship health programmes focused on combating visual impairment and strengthening prevention.

In 2024, the Foundation delivered healthcare and treatment services to 3,859,131 (3.8 million) individuals in countries across Asia and Africa—reflecting its deep commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in expanding access to quality healthcare and improving lives.

The report also highlights Noor Dubai’s intensified efforts to broaden its impact by implementing integrated health campaigns across multiple countries.

These initiatives include comprehensive eye screenings, specialised surgical procedures, and public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing eye diseases.

Over the past year, Noor Dubai also expanded its digital services by launching telemedicine programmes, enabling individuals in remote areas to access advanced medical consultations.

This digital expansion underscores the Foundation’s commitment to harnessing technology to enhance humanitarian outreach.

The Foundation’s achievements in 2024 were made possible through sustained efforts and strategic international partnerships with leading health and research institutions.

Going beyond medical intervention, the organisation’s work is helping develop resilient, future-ready healthcare systems.

Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Chairman of Noor Dubai Foundation’s Board of Trustees, stated that the foundation’s 2024 annual report underscores Dubai’s leadership in advancing global healthcare, reflecting the values of generosity and giving instilled by Sheikh Mohammed.

This sustainable approach enhances quality of life and empowers communities by ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services.

Al Ketbi said Noor Dubai operates with a clear vision focused on providing innovative solutions to address preventable blindness.

He highlighted that Noor Dubai’s annual report reflects the foundation’s significant healthcare and humanitarian impact in 2024.

“Noor Dubai has successfully established a global model through its collaboration with international health organisations and entities dedicated to blindness prevention,” Al Ketbi stated.

“These efforts contribute significantly to the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals and reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading and influential force in the global healthcare landscape.”

The report highlighted that Noor Dubai’s mobile treatment camps provided comprehensive healthcare services in several countries throughout 2024.

The camps conducted 18,279 medical examinations in the Philippines, performed 2,596 sight-saving surgeries in Nigeria, distributed 4,846 medicines in Pakistan, and provided 3,095 prescription glasses in Bangladesh.

Additionally, a large number of patients in Somalia benefited from medical screenings and treatment services. Since the programme’s inception in 2010, the mobile treatment camps have delivered 828,351 medical examinations, conducted 37,320 surgeries, and distributed 85,365 prescription glasses across 19 countries. This makes it one of the world’s largest field-based humanitarian initiatives dedicated to combating visual impairments.

The annual report also highlighted the impact of Noor Dubai’s Barishal Eye Care Programme in Bangladesh, which conducted 12,500 refractive error screenings in 2024, distributed 1,250 prescription glasses, and provided 6,708 consultations for diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, 144 patients received laser treatment for retinal conditions.

The report underscored Noor Dubai’s active role in the global initiative to eliminate trachoma by 2030.

The foundation’s efforts contributed to eradicating the disease in 29% of affected areas in Amhara, Ethiopia.

However, the report also cautions that trachoma remains a significant public health threat.