MOH News

MOH granted international awards in blindness prevention
20 August 2008
The International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), in acknowledgement of the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting prevention of visual disability and the pioneering role led by the Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Mane in this regard during the past years, has decided to offer the Saudi Ministry of Health the Global Partnership Award for Prevention of Blindness and the Regional Achievement Award for Prevention of Blindness, both of which are offered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time.
 
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Mane will receive the two awards in the opening session of the eighth meeting of IAPB General Assembly, which will be held in Argentina on Monday Aug 25, 2008.
 
According to IAPB, Saudi Arabia has been granted the two prizes in appreciation of the support offered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to WHO efforts in combating blindness. A report issued by IAPB referred to the prominent role played by the Saudi Minister of Health in supporting the "Vision Initiative 2020: The Right of Vision", which was adopted by both WHO East Mediterranean Office in Cairo and WHO headquarters in Geneva. The report also appreciated the efforts exerted by the Saudi Minister of Health in encouraging other Gulf states to support the initiative and in formulating the decisions submitted to WHO General Assembly in this regard.
 
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Al-Mane said such international appreciation would not have been a reality if it was not for the help of the Almighty God and the generous support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and the Hear to the Throne Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
 
The efforts of the Minister of Health in this regard integrate with the pivotal role played by HRH Prince Abdul Aziz bin Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz, Head of IAPB Eastern Mediterranean Office, in supporting the planning and executing activities of IAPB in the region. It is worth noting that the Eastern Mediterranean is the only region where all its countries have signed in support of the 2020 Vision Initiative. It is also the sole region where all its countries have fulfilled 86% of their national plans in this regard.
 
Dr. Al-Mane will deliver a speech on the occasion, which will be attended by specialists in blindness prevention, politicians, and a host of personalities in the field.
 
The Arab Council of Ministers of Health and the GCC Council of Ministers of Health, represented by the Director General of the Executive Office Dr. Tawfeeq bin Ahmed Khoja, extended their congratulations to Dr. Al-Mane on this occasion, praying to the Almighty God he is granted success in his future plans.
 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played an effective role in submitting the Vision 2020 Initiative to the WHO General Assembly and the consequent approval of the initiative in 2003. It had been keen to continue its support to the initiative through its work to ensure issuance of the decisions required for its implementation. The Kingdom has succeeded, in collaboration with the other friendly countries, to obtain agreement on its proposal regarding giving priority to the efforts directed towards blindness prevention. It has worked during WHO General Assembly meeting in its 60th session, which was held in Geneva in 2006, to include visual disability clearly within the third strategic purpose of WHO medium term strategic plan for the years 2008-2013. 



Last Update : 12 April 2011 09:51 PM
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