The UAE is developing a superb healthcare system to respond to the needs of its people with the support of its leaders, said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social Development.

He was addressing a gathering at the Second Middle East Conference on the Evolving Practice of Ophthalmology in Dubai.

The country’s health care system is committed to having the most advanced technologies, to detecting unhealthy signs as early as possible, and to implementing the most effective treatments and cures, the minister stated.

The system is focused on diagnosis, treatment, and public education, he told the medical eye summit which was attended by scores of eye specialists from across the globe.

"Our hospitals have excellent facilities that deliver highly competent medical services. As a regional center for health care, innovation, scientific research, and technological applications, we welcome knowledge from around the world - the kind of knowledge that I am certain will be imparted by the impressive international faculty present here today," stated Sheikh Nahyan.  

“We furthermore acknowledge that we in the UAE have a special interest in advances in ophthalmology because of the adverse effect of diabetes on eyesight,” he added.

Sheikh Nahyan pointed out that dealing successfully with the causes of diabetes was the UAE’s first concern, but added that the effects of a disease that “we have not yet conquered cannot be ignored.”

The UAE, he stated, feels with the people who have lost their sight or have been born blind.

"And those of us who can see count ourselves blessed indeed that we have retained the precious treasure of our eyesight,” he added.

According to him, the conference exemplified the international need to co-operate, to share research, to engage in joint ventures, and to promote global understanding.  

“We are confident that global cooperation leads to invaluable improvements at the local level.  I wish you every success in this important conference,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service