A Program to Save 400 Children a Year from Blindness

A Program to Save 400 Children a Year from Blindness

Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Health, said that the national program “Retinopathy of Prematurity" implemented by the hospital will maintain the vision of an estimated 400 children a year who were about to go blind. However, with this program, their vision is maintained and the contribution to the community health becomes better.

Upon the launch of the national program, on Sunday, March 17, 2019, which is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, he mentioned that the hospital and its effective role in the development of Ophthalmology services in the Kingdom helped to preserve the vision of thousands over the last 35 years.

The program aims to protect premature infants from losing their vision and provide timely medical care. In its first phase, the program covers a neonatal intensive care unit in MOH hospitals. It includes more than 21 cameras distributed in all regions and will be gradually increased in a certain time. With special digital cameras, the program takes fundus photos then send them electronically to the hospital where the retina consultants view the medical reports , see the photos , diagnose the case, and send the recommendation electronically, including the management plan, either follow-up or referral to a consultant for treatment.

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