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Over 50 Visually-Impaired Palestinians Register with Noor Dubai

DUBAI - As many as 54 visually-impaired Palestinians registered with the Noor Dubai Initiative (NDI), arrived in Dubai on Sunday.

The patients in the 60-80 age group, representing the fourth batch of Palestinians, are from the West Bank.

“They are suffering from different types of visual impairment, including whitewater, cataract, ocular hypertension, and retina problems,” Dr Manal Taryam, President of NDI Medical Team, told Khaleej Times.

Five-year-old Jinan Jihad Al Sayeh is the youngest patient, who is suffering from cataract. She was accompanied by her parents, who came from Nablus city in the West Bank.

“We could not afford treating her visual impairment. She had a hard time and could not play like normal children. The surgery will hopefully make her smile again,” said Jinan’s parents .

A medical team from Dubai Hospital and two volunteer ophthalmologists from Health Authority - Abu Dhabi would prescribe the treatment to be provided to the new batch. Surgeries, if any, will be free of charge.

The patients would be required to stay for 10 days after treatment to ensure stability of their condition, Dr. Manal added.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority, said in the first month of the initiative some 500 visually-impaired patients had received treatment.

Around 300 applications from all over the world are received everyday, he added.