Noor Dubai Foundation Expands Health Services to Central Asia
The Noor Dubai Foundation, a charitable initiative under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has announced the expansion of its humanitarian health services to Central Asia with the completion of its first blindness prevention camp in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Collaboration with Uzbek Government
This initiative, launched in cooperation with the Uzbek government, marks the first collaboration of its kind between Uzbekistan and a UAE-based health charity.
Medical Camp Details
The medical camp, held from 25th March to 19th April 2025, focused on underserved areas in the capital Tashkent, as well as Samarkand and Bukhara. The effort provided:
- Diagnostic services
- Surgical interventions
- Pharmaceutical services
All services were provided at no cost to more than 850 patients, including 280 precise ophthalmic surgeries. The program was implemented in coordination with the Republican Specialised Centre for Eye Microsurgery, under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, which operates 13 regional branches across the country.
The number of beneficiaries from the camp is expected to reach 1,000 patients by May 2025.
Statements from Leadership
Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Noor Dubai Foundation, emphasized that this initiative reflects Dubai’s vision of building bridges of humanitarian cooperation globally, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for philanthropy and sustainable development. He commended the partnership with the Uzbek government that enabled Emirati medical teams to carry out the campaign effectively.
Al Ketbi also stated that the Foundation is guided by a clear vision to expand its outreach to new regions through sustainable initiatives aligned with the UAE’s commitment to global health development and quality of life.
He expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his ongoing support of the Noor Dubai Foundation, where healthcare and preventive services have been delivered to over 33 million people worldwide since its launch in 2008.
Future Plans
Dr. Manal Taryam, Board Member and CEO of the Noor Dubai Foundation, highlighted the success of the medical camp in Uzbekistan, where the population stands at 36.7 million. Among persons aged 50 and above, the prevalence of visual impairment is around 5.6%, with cataract-induced blindness affecting approximately 0.6%.
A scientific study found that cataracts are responsible for 35% of cases of blindness or severe visual impairment in children. Notably, women make up 58% of the country’s visual impairment cases, attributed largely to limited access to medical services.
The cost of cataract surgery ranges from US$800 to US$900 per eye, placing significant financial strain on low-income patients in rural areas.
Dr. Taryam concluded that this medical camp marks the beginning of a series of health programs aimed at utilizing advanced technologies to improve healthcare access in underserved rural communities and support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
