The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) decided recently to award Saudi Arabia the Global Partnership Award and Regional Achievement Award in recognition from the International Community to the Kingdom's efforts led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in a program to control Visual disability and to support decisions of WHO in the fight against blindness and the leading role played by the Minister of Health during the past years. Both awards are given for the first time to Saudi Arabia. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Hamad Al-Manea, The Minister of Health highlighted the generous Support of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz in combating visual disability Programs. "The role of the Ministry of Health is consistent with the prominent and vital mission as well as sustained and intensive efforts carried out in this regard by Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of IAPB to combat blindness in supporting the fight against blindness In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, " he added. He also referred to Kingdom's strong role in presenting the initiative Vision 2020: the Right to Sight to the general assembly of the World Health Organization.
