Noor Dubai Foundation launches its first tele-ophthalmology programme in Nepal

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 11 July 2024: In line with our mission of people centered eye care services that are environmentally responsible to support sustainability, Noor Dubai Foundation launched its latest programme in Nepal in collaboration with Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS). The project employs tele-ophthalmology to enhance eye care accessibility in remote areas of Nepal over a 3-year period across 15 health centres. The programme encompasses primary care, expert consultations, and training. Telemedicine and tele-ophthalmology revolutionise healthcare delivery through electronic communication and advanced technology, enabling remote exchange of medical information. These innovative solutions leverage real-time data analytics and technology driven insights to optimise healthcare delivery and decision-making, ensuring efficient and excellent patient care.

It is estimated that 6.8 million people suffer with vision loss in Nepal with 8.4 ophthalmologists per million of the population available. In the end of the 3 years period, the project is expected to deliver improved primary eye care to 433,000 patients in 15 eye centres and enable expert consultant reviews for 82,000 individuals through teleophthalmology in the same period. The programme will also focus on human resource development and empowering local community through training 15 allied ophthalmic staff and 6 ophthalmologists in tele-ophthalmology. In addition, the programme aims to improve the health infrastructure further by connecting 15 primary and 2 tertiary eye centres for enhanced services. With an investment of AED 1,070,252 over a 3-year period, 11 million people are expected to benefit from this programme.

The programme aims to accelerate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, 8,9, and 13 through employing technology driving impact in global health issues, including improving accessibility to good quality eye care, investments in human capital, infrastructure maturity and reducing inequality. Employing telemedicine significantly reduces the cost of providing the health services and improves healthcare efficiency, stimulating economic growth in the communities served. Furthermore, teleophthalmology can support healthcare to reduce the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions.

A UAE based charity focused on the prevention of blindness and visual impairment globally, Noor Dubai Foundation is committed to expanding its partnerships across geographies to accelerate its agenda of innovative programmes employing technology to improve healthcare accessibility. Partnering with NNJS, a leading non-profit organization representing the Government of Nepal and the Social Welfare Council of Nepal in eye care activities, enables the Foundation to maximise its reach and impact on the health landscape. 

Dr Manal Taryam, Board Member and CEO of the Noor Dubai Foundation, highlighted “We are honoured to partner with NNJS to deliver maximum impact in the targeted areas. Through Teleophthalmology, we will lead the transformation of service delivery in eye care, maximising accessibility to those in need and leaving a lasting legacy in global health and wellbeing”.

Prof. Dr. Chet Raj Pant, Chairperson, NNJS stated: “The tele-ophthalmology service operated with the support of Noor Dubai Foundation will connect the citizens in the remote and rural areas of Nepal with specialist eye treatment services in our eye hospitals. In a geographically challenging country like ours, teleophthalmology offers a more effective way to deliver specialised eye care services directly to patients in their homes.”