Countess of Wessex tours ‘Qatar Vision’ initiatives

HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari yesterday met with Sophie the Countess of Wessex, who is visiting the country in her capacity as Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Patron of Vision 2020, The Right to Sight.They discussed topics of mutual interests, especially combating blindness and the role of Qatar in helping children with vision problems in a number of countries in the world through “Qatar Vision” initiative.The Countess also visited Hamad Medical Corporation’s new hospitals at Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City and Sidra Medicine focusing on the world-class ophthalmology facilities offered by both organisations. The tour comes as part of a visit to Bangladesh and Doha with eye care charity Orbis to promote and explore the work of Qatar Creating Vision — an initiative of Qatar Fund for Development led by the charity.The Countess Of Wessex toured the facilities at Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City which encompasses three new hospitals – the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, the Ambulatory Care Center and the Women’s Wellness and Research Center. During the tour, she visited the state-of-the-art ophthalmology department at the Ambulatory Care Center and the world-class hydrotherapy suite and speech therapy services at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. The Countess also visited Sidra Medicine, Qatar’s new hospital for children, young people, and women, where she toured the paediatric ophthalmology facilities. She was accompanied on both tours by Dr al-Kuwari and dignitaries from both facilities.The tours concluded with a round-table discussion including the Countess, Dr al-Kuwari and dignitaries from HMC, Sidra, Orbis, the Qatar Fund for Development and the World Innovation Summit for Health where they discussed the importance of educating populations about diagnosis, prevention and treatment of eye disease. They also discussed the key role medics, paramedics, nurses and community healthcare workers have in educating people about eye disease.The Countess is particularly committed to promoting the work and need of organisations that focus on helping and improving opportunities for children and young people with sensory, learning and communications disabilities.She is also a strong supporter of the Qatar Creating Vision initiative, funded by the Qatar Fund for Development, which supports the work of the Orbis Foundation and their the treatment of eye diseases of millions of children in developing countries such as India and Bangladesh. As of October 2017, the programmes have conducted more than 2.9mn eye tests followed by treatment through surgeries or provision of spectacles.The Countess Of Wessex commented: “During my recent visit to Bangladesh, I met children struggling with their vision, who had their lives truly transformed thanks to access to surgery. I met their parents and heard about the barriers they faced in their day-to-day lives, watched as their children’s bandages were removed and witnessed the relief on their faces.Dr al-Kuwari said she was proud to showcase the state-of-the-art ophthalmology facilities and services offered by both Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medicine and discuss ways Qatar could contribute to the prevention of eye disease and blindness.“Qatar continues to lead the region with world-class facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions in children and adults. “We are also committed to sharing our expertise internationally through initiatives such as Qatar Creating Vision to help other countries prevent eye disease.”