UAE Launches Major Initiative to Combat River Blindness, Targeting Millions Across Africa and Asia
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the launch of a new humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting global efforts to eradicate river blindness, reaffirming the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to healthcare and humanitarian development worldwide.
The initiative, unveiled in the presence of senior members of Dubai’s leadership, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to benefit seven million people directly and 35.4 million indirectly over the next three years.
The programme will be implemented by Noor Dubai under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
Speaking at the announcement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said humanitarian action remains central to the UAE’s vision, emphasizing that the country continues to support and empower millions around the world.
“To fight blindness is to fight darkness and disability, and to empower people to lead a life with dignity. We remain committed to launching such initiatives,” he stated.
The initiative will focus on the mass administration of medicines for prevention and treatment, conducting community surveys to monitor early signs of the disease, and training local healthcare workers as part of efforts to eliminate river blindness by 2030.
River blindness, medically known as onchocerciasis, is a parasitic disease affecting the eyes and skin. It is caused by microscopic worms transmitted through infected blackfly bites. The disease can lead to severe itching, skin damage, visual impairment, and permanent blindness. In some cases, early exposure among children can also contribute to epilepsy.
Senior UAE officials and dignitaries attending the launch included Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, alongside senior government and healthcare representatives.
The announcement also highlighted the UAE’s role in supporting global awareness initiatives related to neglected tropical diseases. World Neglected Tropical Disease Day, observed annually on January 30, was backed by UAE diplomatic efforts and first announced during the “Reaching the Last Mile” forum in Abu Dhabi in 2019 before being officially recognised by the World Health Organization in 2021.
The WHO’s 2021-2030 roadmap identifies river blindness among the diseases targeted for elimination worldwide.
Established in 2015, MBRGI oversees more than 30 humanitarian and development initiatives operating across five major sectors, including healthcare, education, innovation, humanitarian aid, and community empowerment. The organisation has allocated over AED13.8 billion in humanitarian assistance, benefiting approximately 788 million people across 118 countries.
Founded in 2008, Noor Dubai has worked to combat preventable blindness globally and, by the end of 2024, had improved the lives of more than 33 million beneficiaries across Asia and Africa through treatment, awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and capacity-building programmes, with a special focus on neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness.
