More than 25 million people from all over Africa and Asia have benefitted from the free treatment and preventive programmes of the Noor Dubai Foundation since its inception in 2008, Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, DHA, revealed.

Al Qutami made the announcement during the strategy workshop, organised by Noor Dubai on Tuesday to devise a new strategy for 2017-2022 and help achieve the initiatives and goals for the next four years.

The workshop was attended by Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organisation, WHO, and Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai Foundation.

During his opening speech, Al Qutami said Noor Dubai has based its achievements on the values learnt from the founding father late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, when he established the UAE and ensured support to all nations in need, irrespective of colour, race and religion.

"Noor Dubai Foundation continues its mission by following the values and objectives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The foundation translated the humanitarian directions and passion of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, who launched the foundation to specialise in providing prevention of blindness programmes and projects and to reach out to millions globally through preventive and therapeutic programmes," Al Qutami said.

He added that the success of Noor Dubai is based on its strategic partnerships with international organisations that have helped reach over 25 million people around the world.

"We are also thankful to global organisations such as WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for supporting Noor Dubai," he concluded.

Dr. Taryam said that in light of its seventh anniversary, the foundation is working on devising a new strategy in line with the developmental objectives of international organisations.