UAE Ambassador: Cataract Surgery Restores Sight, Builds Self-Reliance

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Indonesia, Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, has said that cataract surgery is not merely a health service, but a step to help people return to being productive and independent.

Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, Abdulla said the benefits of cataract surgery go far beyond restoring sight. Once a person can see well again, they have a greater opportunity to learn, work, and improve their standard of living.

“We want to empower people in need so that they have the opportunity to live more independently,” he said regarding the free cataract operations held by the Ministry of Health together with the Noor Dubai Foundation at the Purwokerto Special Eye Hospital (RSKM).

In addition to providing services to patients, he said, the activity was also used as a means of increasing the capacity of Indonesian health workers. Around 10 to 12 resident doctors had the opportunity to learn directly alongside senior specialist doctors during the operations.

Abdulla also expressed his hope that cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE in the health sector would not stop at this activity. He is optimistic that the two countries can continue to deliver humanitarian programmes that provide broader benefits to the community.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Noor Dubai Foundation, Manal Taryam, said her organisation appreciates the support of the Indonesian Government and the UAE Embassy so that the humanitarian cooperation could be carried out.

She hopes the collaboration will continue so that more Indonesians can gain access to eye health services.

“It is very important for us to establish this cooperation. It adds value to our work and it also helps us to serve as many people as possible,” Manal said.

The ongoing partnership between the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Noor Dubai Foundation has been pioneered since 2025 through grant funding worth 294,222 Dirham.

This strategic partnership is a concrete step by the government to target residents in areas that find it difficult to reach medical facilities, where previously the programme has also facilitated free cataract operations for hundreds of residents in Central Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara.