River Blindness Ghana: MBRGI And Noor Dubai Launch Drive To Eradicate By 2030

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives has launched a new programme to help eradicate river blindness in Ghana by 2030. The effort focuses on onchocerciasis and aims to support seven million people directly. More than 35 million people will benefit indirectly over three years, reflecting long-term planning for public health in West Africa.

The partnership behind the river blindness initiative was announced during the World Governments Summit 2026. A formal agreement was signed between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Noor Dubai. The initiative is aligned with broader UAE humanitarian work, especially projects that improve healthcare access in low-income and rural communities.

The agreement was signed by Saeed Al Eter, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and Prof. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority and Chairman of Noor Dubai’s Board of Trustees. The signing took place within the summit’s programme, which focuses on "Shaping Future Governments" and encouraging practical partnerships for inclusive development.

Under the new river blindness project in Ghana, Noor Dubai will lead on-the-ground implementation. Tasks include mass drug administration to prevent and treat onchocerciasis, alongside regular community surveys. Teams will carry out clinical assessments to detect early symptoms and will train local healthcare workers, helping build skills that support wider disease control efforts.

Al Eter said eliminating the disease is a priority for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, reflecting its humanitarian mission to support underserved communities, meet essential needs, and strengthen healthcare systems by providing resources and empowering local medical personnel. "This global initiative represents a significant step towards supporting Ghana’s national ambitions while accelerating international efforts to eradicate the disease through MBRGI’s funding and Noor Dubai’s extensive expertise in treating neglected tropical diseases," he added.

Prof. Alsheikh-Ali said the agreement embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to reinforce the UAE’s role as a key partner in sustainable humanitarian initiatives. Prof. Alsheikh-Ali added that the programme shows a long-term commitment to preventing blindness and strengthening health systems so communities enjoy better quality of life.

Onchocerciasis, commonly called river blindness, is caused by microscopic parasitic worms under the skin, spread through insect bites in subcutaneous tissue. The disease affects the eyes and skin. People may experience severe itching, skin discolouration, and eye lesions that can progress to vision loss and permanent blindness. Subcutaneous nodules usually form around adult worms, while early infection in children can sometimes lead to epilepsy.

The World Health Organisation has included river blindness in its 2021–2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases, targeting its elimination. Every year on 30 January, World Neglected Tropical Disease Day raises awareness of conditions that affect one in five people worldwide. The date was backed by UAE diplomatic efforts and was announced at the "Reaching the Last Mile" forum in Abu Dhabi in 2019, before official recognition in 2021.

The scale of the World Governments Summit 2026 supports the visibility of the river blindness agreement. More than 60 heads of state and government, plus their deputies, are attending. The meeting brings over 500 ministers and representatives from more than 150 governments, together with leading experts and thinkers. In total, more than 6,250 participants are involved in the summit’s discussions.

Both the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Noor Dubai bring extensive experience to the river blindness effort. Established in 2015, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives unites more than 30 initiatives and institutions under five main pillars covering aid, healthcare, education, innovation, and community empowerment. It has allocated over AED13.8 billion to humanitarian aid and relief, reaching 788 million people in 118 countries.

Founded in 2008, Noor Dubai works to prevent avoidable blindness, with a strong focus on neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness. By the end of 2024, Noor Dubai programmes had improved the lives of more than 33 million people across Asia and Africa through treatment, prevention, awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and capacity-building projects that strengthen local eye-care services.

With inputs from WAM