A Dubai-based non-profit charitable organization, the Noor Dubai Foundation, is dedicated to preventing blindness and visual impairment worldwide, with a focus on improving eye care for residents in remote areas of Nepal. Partnering with Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS), the foundation has launched a tele-ophthalmology program in Nepal, aiming to benefit nearly half a million people by enhancing access to eye care services over the next three years. With an estimated 6.8 million people suffering from vision loss in Nepal and only 8.4 ophthalmologists per million of the population available, the project is set to provide improved primary eye care to 433,000 patients and expert consultant reviews for 82,000 individuals through teleophthalmology.
The tele-ophthalmology program not only includes primary care and expert consultations but also focuses on human resource development by training 15 allied ophthalmic staff and six ophthalmologists in teleophthalmology. Additionally, the program aims to empower the local community and improve the health infrastructure by connecting 15 primary and two tertiary eye centers for enhanced services. With an investment of Dh1,070,252 over three years, the program is expected to benefit around 11 million people, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by driving impact in global health issues and reducing inequality through technology-driven solutions.
Dr. Manal Taryam, board member and CEO of the Noor Dubai Foundation, expressed the organization’s honor in partnering with NNJS to maximize impact in targeted areas through teleophthalmology. The initiative aims to lead the transformation of service delivery in eye care, enabling greater accessibility to those in need and leaving a lasting legacy in global health and wellbeing. Prof. Chet Raj Pant, chairperson of NNJS, highlighted the significance of tele-ophthalmology in connecting citizens in remote and rural areas of Nepal with specialist eye treatment services. In a geographically challenging country like Nepal, teleophthalmology offers a more effective way to deliver specialized eye care services directly to patients in their homes, thanks to the support of the Noor Dubai Foundation.
Overall, the partnership between the Noor Dubai Foundation and NNJS in launching the tele-ophthalmology program in Nepal represents a significant step towards improving eye care access and services for underserved populations. By leveraging technology, training healthcare professionals, and enhancing health infrastructure, the program aims to address the challenge of vision loss in Nepal and contribute to the broader goals of global health equity and sustainable development. With a focus on reaching remote areas and empowering local communities, the initiative seeks to create a positive and lasting impact on eye care delivery in Nepal, benefiting millions of individuals and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
