_BIOGRAPHY Dr Manal Taryam is the CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation and a prominent Emirati ophthalmologist. She has led numerous global initiatives to combat preventable blindness, particularly in underserved and rural areas. A specialist in eye care, she is recognised for her humanitarian work and leadership in health-focused development projects.

“OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD SYSTEMS THAT LAST — TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO MANAGE THEIR OWN EYE HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, SKILLS, AND SUPPORT.”

COULD YOU SHARE THE FOUNDATION’S STRATEGIC VISION?

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Noor Dubai Foundation, a UAE-based non-governmental organization, under the umbrella of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has emerged as a leading force in the fight against preventable blindness across the globe.

Since its inception in 2008, the Foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to its vision “A world free from all forms of avoidable visual loss”. The foundation’s programs contribute to the improvement of the wellbeing and the socioeconomic status of people through sustainable control of major causes of avoidable visual loss.

To date, the foundation has reached out to over 33 million beneficiaries across Asia and Africa, working with governments to make good quality eye care accessible to all.

WHAT INSPIRED THE FOUNDATION’S ENGAGEMENT IN UZBEKISTAN?

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Noor Dubai Foundation has recently launched its first eye-treatment camp in the Republic of Uzbekistan, marking a significant milestone as both our first initiative in Central Asia and the first medical collaboration between Uzbekistan and a UAE-based NGO.

These mobile camps are part of our broader mission to provide free eye screenings, treatments, and surgeries to underserved communities. We're especially grateful for the support of Sheikha Moza bint Suhail Al Khyeli, whose commitment has enabled us to expand our reach across continents.

The Uzbekistan camp is a meaningful step forward in that journey. Noor Dubai had the pleasure of collaborating with the government in Uzbekistan to provide complimentary screening and surgery to those who needed it.

With a population of 36.7 million, of whom 2.3 million reside in Tashkent, 600,000 in Samarkand, and 300,000 in Bukhara, the incidence of visual disability is high, reaching a staggering 5.6%.

With cataracts, being the most prevalent cause of visual impairment and blindness, they affect 0.6% of those aged 50 and above. A study conducted in 2000 in Uzbekistan found cataracts responsible for 35% of cases of blindness or severe visual impairment in children. Women account for 58% of the total visual disability cases, largely due to limited access to medical services.

Our collaboration with Uzbekistan is a powerful step in advancing Noor Dubai’s vision of a world free from avoidable blindness, and it marks the beginning of a promising partnership to improve access to eye care across the region.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT NOOR DUBAI'S PROJECTS IN UZBEKISTAN?

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Yes, there are several examples of success in collaboration with the “Republican Specialized Center for Microsurgery of the Eye,” under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, which operates 13 branches throughout the country, Noor Dubai provided diagnostic, treatment, and healthcare services to 850 patients suffering from eye diseases.

The Foundation also performed 280 surgeries and distributed medication to those in need. The total number of beneficiaries is set to reach 1000 patients by the end of May 2025.

A cornerstone of Noor Dubai’s strategy lies in empowering local health systems. In countries across Asia and Africa, the Foundation partners with local government such as the ministries of health and community organizations to deliver comprehensive eye care programs. Rather than providing one-off services, Noor Dubai requires the use of local licensed health facilities and trained physicians to conduct the eye camps.

As global health organizations shift focus toward sustainability, Noor Dubai stands out as a model for integrating humanitarian aid with local empowerment. Its programs prove that eye health interventions, when rooted in local capacity and community engagement, can achieve sustainable and transformative change.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION NOOR DUBAI’S ROLE IN UZBEKISTAN AND THE REGION?

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Noor Dubai Foundation is set to expand its eye health initiatives in Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region, focusing on sustainability, local capacity-building, and advanced technology to reach underserved communities. Building on its global success, the Foundation plans to partner with local health authorities to train eye care professionals, support infrastructure, and introduce technologies such as AI diagnostics and tele-ophthalmology. These tools aim to improve accessibility in remote areas by enabling early detection and ongoing care.

Our goal is to build systems that last; we want to empower communities to manage their own eye health with the right tools, skills, and support. With its integrated approach and commitment to long-term impact, Noor Dubai is helping reshape the future of eye care.