The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said trachoma, a neglected eye disease that can cause blindness, was no longer a public health problem in Saudi Arabia.
The WHO credited the health ministry's move to integrate a comprehensive eye care programme into the kingdom's primary health care services – the first point of contact in the healthcare system – with helping to turn the tide against the disease, which is the number one cause of preventable blindness around the world.
“This is a remarkable achievement that has saved people from preventable visual impairment or blindness. It is about improving quality of life and well-being,” said Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for Eastern Mediterranean. He said such success stories are encouraging and help others to eliminate more diseases in the region.
The health ministry also partnered with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in its campaign to rid the kingdom of the disease.
Saudi Health Minister Fahad Bin Abdulrahman Al Jalajil earlier this week received a letter from WHO Director General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, congratulating the kingdom for its success in eliminating trachoma.
The kingdom is only the fourth country in the middle east to have successfully eliminated public health risk from trachoma.
Trachoma remains widespread in five countries in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region, but the numbers of people requiring antibiotic treatment for the disease has declined by millions in recent years.
Around 39 million people in the region needed antibiotics to treat it in 2013, compared with 11 million in 2020, according to the WHO.
The disease is caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads easily through direct personal contact, things like shared towels, or flies that have come into contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person.
Saudi Arabia's health sector and professionals, in collaboration with WHO, are working on eliminating other tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis, worm infestations and leishmaniasis. The kingdom and WHO will continue to closely monitor and respond to previously endemic areas.
The WHO's SAFE strategy to beat trachoma promotes hygiene measures like facial cleanliness to prevent the spread, particular among children, who can pick up trachoma at a young age.
If left untreated, the disease can cause scarring of the eyelid that can worsen over time and lead to blindness.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
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RESULT
Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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