Noor Dubai Foundation Transforms Eye Care in 2024

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Noor Dubai Foundation, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), made great progress in 2024 in its mission to prevent blindness and help people with poor vision. Last year, the foundation provided free eye care to over 3.8 million people, making it one of the leading healthcare charities in the world.

The foundation’s work supports Dubai’s goal of becoming a global leader in healthcare and making medical support easy to access for everyone.

Helping Millions Around the World
According to its 2024 report, Noor Dubai has helped over 33 million people in Asia and Africa since it was started in 2008. Its main goal is to fight vision problems by offering treatment and running programmes to prevent eye diseases.

In 2024, the foundation treated 3,859,131 people in different countries. Its work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on providing quality healthcare to all and improving lives.

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Expanding Eye Care Services
Last year, Noor Dubai increased its reach by running large health campaigns in many countries. These included:

Free eye check-ups

Special eye surgeries

Awareness programmes to teach people how to prevent eye diseases

To reach even more people, the foundation launched telemedicine services, allowing those in remote areas to get medical help through online consultations. This shows the foundation’s dedication to using technology to help more people.

Partnerships for Greater Impact
Noor Dubai’s success in 2024 was made possible through partnerships with top healthcare organisations around the world. By working with international experts, the foundation was able to offer better medical care in many countries and support their healthcare systems.

These efforts are helping Dubai strengthen its position as a centre for humanitarian healthcare.

Chairman’s Statement
His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Chairman of Noor Dubai’s Board of Trustees, praised the foundation’s achievements. He said the foundation’s work reflects the values of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who encourages generosity and kindness.

Al Ketbi explained that Noor Dubai uses modern technology, global partnerships, and staff training to offer better solutions for preventing blindness. He added that the annual report shows the foundation’s large impact in many countries.

He also highlighted that the foundation’s mobile treatment camps, trachoma prevention programmes, and free eye care services show its strong commitment to helping people in need.

Mobile Treatment Camps: Reaching the Needy
Noor Dubai’s mobile eye camps provided free medical services in several countries last year. The camps:

Conducted 18,279 eye exams in the Philippines

Performed 2,596 sight-saving surgeries in Nigeria

Distributed 4,846 medicines in Pakistan

Provided 3,095 prescription glasses in Bangladesh

Helped many patients in Somalia with eye check-ups and treatment

Since the programme began in 2010, the mobile camps have:

Given 828,351 eye exams

Performed 37,320 surgeries

Distributed 85,365 glasses in 19 countries

This makes Noor Dubai’s mobile eye camps one of the biggest field-based eye care programmes in the world.

Special Projects in Bangladesh and Nigeria
In Bangladesh, the Barishal Eye Care Programme made a big difference in 2024. It provided:

12,500 eye screenings for refractive errors

1,250 glasses to people with poor eyesight

6,708 consultations for diabetic retinopathy

144 laser treatments for patients with retinal conditions

In Nigeria, the School Eye Health Programme helped:

281,103 students and 2,196 teachers by checking their vision

Provided 1,821 glasses to students with weak eyesight

Trained school staff to promote good eye care practices

Fighting Trachoma: A Serious Eye Disease
Noor Dubai is also part of the global effort to end trachoma by 2030. In 2024, it helped reduce the disease by 29% in Amhara, Ethiopia.

However, trachoma is still a big health problem. The report warns that nearly 1.9 million people around the world are at risk. The disease is responsible for 1.4% of all cases of blindness globally.

Free Eye Care in the UAE
In the UAE, Noor Dubai’s Mobile Eye Clinic provided free eye care to 4,658 patients in 2024. Around 35% of the patients were women.

Since its launch in 2014, the clinic has treated over 43,727 people, mainly labourers and elderly residents, offering them free and much-needed eye care.

Using Technology to Help More People
In 2024, Noor Dubai expanded its digital healthcare services. The iBSAR Telemedicine Project in Nepal provided 13,176 virtual consultations to patients in rural areas through local eye centres.

This project shows how technology is making eye care more accessible in remote places.

Investing in the Future
Noor Dubai is committed to building a brighter future by helping more people protect their eyesight. The foundation plans to continue its mission of offering free eye care and running sustainable health programmes in the coming years.

Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai, said the foundation will keep working hard to prevent blindness and provide better eye care to people everywhere, especially in poor and rural areas.

Through its compassionate and dedicated work, Noor Dubai is helping millions of people see a clearer and brighter future.