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Qatar Charity Conducts Blindness Prevention Campaign in Senegal

As part of its ongoing “Ibsar” initiative to combat eye diseases that cause vision loss, and with the support of donors in Qatar, Qatar Charity (QC), in cooperation with Senegal’s Ministry of Health and Social Action, implemented a medical campaign to address treatable blindness. The initiative benefited thousands of people in the Dakar and Saint-Louis regions and helped restore hope to hundreds of patients through free eye screening, treatment, and surgical services. During the campaign, 2,953 people received eye examinations and medical consultations, while 1,290 prescription eyeglasses and 4,964 units of eye medications and eye drops were distributed. Multidisciplinary Team The screening activities identified 729 cataract cases requiring surgery, and 481 cataract operations were successfully performed during the campaign period. The campaign was implemented by a multidisciplinary team comprising eight ophthalmologists, 11 eye care and cataract surgery specialists, six additional eye-care technicians, and 50 support staff, ensuring comprehensive services throughout the screening, treatment, surgery, and follow-up stages. The initiative was carried out under the partnership between Qatar Charity and the Ministry of Health and Social Action through the National Eye Health Programme, supporting national efforts to reduce preventable blindness and improve access to specialized eye-care services for vulnerable communities. Challenge of Cataracts These interventions are particularly important given the challenges facing eye health services in Senegal. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in the country, while limited access to specialized surgical services, high treatment costs, and inadequate public awareness continue to prevent many patients from receiving timely care. By providing examinations, surgeries, medications, and follow-up services free of charge, the campaign expanded access to specialized eye care, reduced the financial burden on patients and their families, shortened waiting lists for surgery, and supported knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals working in the field of eye health. Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Advisor to the Senegalese Minister of Health, praised the cooperation between Senegal and the State of Qatar in supporting the healthcare sector. He commended Qatar Charity’s efforts to combat blindness and visual impairment through targeted medical programmes and enhanced prevention and treatment services for vulnerable communities. For his part, Mustafa Essatte, Director of Qatar Charity’s Senegal Branch, said the campaign reflects the successful partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and demonstrates Qatar Charity’s commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare for those most in need. He noted that restoring sight goes beyond improving health outcomes, enabling beneficiaries to pursue education, employment, mobility, and self-reliance while enhancing their social and economic well-being.

16/09/2026

Qatar Charity Initiative Treats Cleft Lip and Palate in Somalia
With support from donors in Qatar and in cooperation with Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Social Care and Well Care Specialized Hospital, Qatar Charity has launched the “Creating Smiles” initiative to provide free treatment to Somali patients with cleft lip and palate. The initiative offers essential surgical procedures and medical care, helping patients overcome the health and social challenges associated with these conditions. The initiative targets 72 children and adults with congenital cleft lips and palate, who are set to undergo corrective surgery. High Demand At the initiative’s launch, Ms. Nasra Abdulsamad Mohamed, Director of the Oral and Dental Health Department at Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Care, thanked Qatar Charity, donors in Qatar and the management of Well Care Specialized Hospital for implementing the programme. She said patients had travelled from across the country to benefit from the initiative. She said: “This initiative addresses a genuine need among many families who could not afford treatment for their children. We thank the donors in Qatar for their support, which has enabled patients to undergo specialized surgical procedures free of charge.” She added that the high demand reflects the scale of the need for such medical services, noting that the initiative enables patients to receive treatment and healthcare without placing a financial burden on their families. For his part, Dr. Abdullah Farah Asir, Director General of Well Care Specialized Hospital, said the hospital was coordinating with Qatar Charity and the Ministry of Health and Social Care to perform the procedures. He explained that the initiative serves children and adults who have lived for years with the effects of these congenital conditions. Some admitted cases require specialized surgery, he added, and the medical teams have mobilized their resources to ensure that beneficiaries receive the necessary care in line with approved medical standards. Thanks to Donors Mr. Abdulfattah Adam Moalim, Director of Qatar Charity’s Somalia Office, also thanked donors in Qatar for funding the humanitarian medical initiative, stressing that their support enables dozens of patients to receive essential treatment and care. He said the treatment pathway involves several stages, beginning with medical examinations and case assessments, followed by the required surgical procedures and post-operative follow-up, in coordination with the initiative’s partners. He noted that medical teams have performed 23 procedures to date, while preparations are under way to complete the remaining operations and reach the target number of beneficiaries during the project’s current phase. Ongoing Efforts The “Creating Smiles” initiative is part of Qatar Charity’s broader efforts to support Somalia’s health sector. Over the past year, the organization implemented 24 health projects benefiting more than 143,000 people, at a total cost of approximately QAR 10 million. The projects included constructing and equipping health facilities, performing general and specialized surgeries, treating critical cases, supporting blindness-prevention programmes, and providing medical equipment and supplies. Together, these interventions helped strengthen healthcare services across several parts of Somalia.
15/09/2026 More details  
Qatar Charity’s Eye Care and Surgery Campaign Benefits 3,879 People in Tanzania
As part of its ongoing Ibsar (Eyesight) Initiative to combat eye diseases and prevent avoidable blindness, and with the support of generous donors in Qatar, Qatar Charity (QC) has concluded a specialized eye care and surgery campaign in Zanzibar, Tanzania, benefiting 3,879 people. The organization is also preparing to launch a cochlear implant project in Dar es Salaam as part of its efforts to expand access to specialized healthcare services for vulnerable communities. High Demand The campaign was implemented from 29 August to 4 September 2026 at Kinduni Health Center in North Zanzibar and Sebuleni Health Center in the West Urban Region, in partnership with Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and the relevant government authorities. The number of beneficiaries significantly exceeded the initial target of 2,050 people, highlighting the strong demand for specialized healthcare services in the region. The campaign provided comprehensive eye care services, including eye examinations, medication, and the distribution of more than 415 prescription eyeglasses. In addition, medical teams performed 404 cataract surgeries, helping hundreds of patients regain their sight and improve their quality of life. Mobile Surgical Unit A key feature of the campaign was the use of a specialized mobile surgical unit for cataract operations, bringing advanced ophthalmic services closer to patients and reducing the need for long-distance travel to access treatment. Official Appreciation The Urban District Commissioner, Hassan Khamis Hafidh, praised the partnership between the Government of Zanzibar, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), and Qatar Charity, noting that it enabled residents to access specialized eye care services closer to their communities. During the closing ceremony, The Regional Commissioner of the West Urban Region, Mohammed Ali Abdalla, emphasized the initiative’s positive impact on improving access to treatment and expressed the Government of Zanzibar’s appreciation for the partnership in strengthening healthcare services. For her part, The Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr. Delilah Kimambo, said the campaign’s success reflected the partners’ commitment to delivering specialized healthcare services to people in need wherever they are. Strengthening Local Capacity Dr. Amjad Al Tahhan, Director of Qatar Charity’s Tanzania Branch, said the campaign is part of a broader series of healthcare initiatives implemented by the organization across Tanzania and Zanzibar. He added that it will continue supporting local capacity building and expanding specialized medical services. At the conclusion of the campaign, the Government of Zanzibar, represented by the First Vice President’s Office, awarded Qatar Charity a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its contributions to supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhancing healthcare services. The campaign coincides with preparations for the launch of a cochlear implant project in Dar es Salaam, which is expected to provide beneficiaries with access to specialized healthcare and improve their quality of life.
14/09/2026 More details  
Qatar Charity’s Humanitarian and Development Efforts Reach More Than 10 Million People
Qatar Charity (QC) extended its humanitarian and developmental footprint worldwide between January and July 2026, delivering aid worth QAR 809 million. Backed by donors, the organization implemented a range of humanitarian interventions and development projects, benefiting over 10 million people across dozens of countries. The initiatives reflect Qatar Charity’s commitment to bridging immediate disaster relief with long-term, sustainable community development to empower vulnerable populations globally. Humanitarian Interventions In the humanitarian sector, Qatar Charity carried out relief interventions in 31 countries at a cost exceeding QAR 236 million, reaching around 5.8 million people. The response focused on major humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and Syria, while also supporting refugees and displaced communities in several other countries. Assistance covered key areas such as shelter, non-food items, water and sanitation, healthcare, and education in emergencies, helping vulnerable families cope with difficult circumstances. Sudan's humanitarian crisis emerged as a top humanitarian priority for Qatar Charity, with interventions totaling QAR 18 million. Qatar Charity also continued supporting people affected by overlooked humanitarian crises that receive limited international attention, particularly the Rohingya refugee crisis. To strengthen its emergency response capacity, Qatar Charity launched a specialized Information and Crisis Management Center this year. The center supports early warning, humanitarian data analysis, and information management, and crisis monitoring, helping improve decision-making and response effectiveness. The center also strengthens coordination across the organization and enables real-time monitoring of humanitarian crises. Using specialized tools to track natural disasters, conflicts, and displacement, it helps improve decision-making and supports more effective, evidence-based humanitarian responses. Development Projects On the developmental front, Qatar Charity implemented 11,114 projects in 44 countries during the first seven months of 2026, with a total value of approximately QAR 573 million. More than 4.2 million people benefited from these projects, which covered several sectors including water and sanitation, education and culture, economic empowerment, health, food security, social welfare, social housing, and multi-service centers. These achievements reflect Qatar Charity’s continued focus on tackling the root causes of poverty, strengthening communities, promoting self-reliance, and supporting sustainable long-term development. The organization also integrated sustainability into its projects by engaging local communities, strengthening their capacities, and establishing operation and maintenance plans to ensure continued services after project completion. Qatar Charity has also increased its focus on fast-track development projects that deliver results more quickly. This approach helps accelerate impact on beneficiaries while enabling donors to see the outcomes of their contributions within a shorter period. Social Welfare (Sponsorships) In social welfare, the number of beneficiaries supported through Qatar Charity’s “Rofaqa” initiative exceeded 225,000 by the end of July 2026. The initiative serves orphans, vulnerable families, persons with disabilities, students, and teachers, making it one of the largest sponsorship and social welfare programs worldwide. In addition to financial support, beneficiaries receive educational, health, social, and development services that help improve their lives, strengthen their opportunities, and help them build a better future. Rofaqa also places strong emphasis on educational and spiritual development. Through the “Furqan” program, sponsored children, particularly those in non-Arabic-speaking countries, receive Quran and Arabic language education. The initiative also offers educational, cultural, and skills-development activities that help strengthen character and personal growth. Qatar Charity has also partnered with Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to establish a dedicated international category for Rofaqa beneficiaries within the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Holy Quran Competition. The initiative encourages sponsored orphans worldwide to memorize the Holy Quran, enhance their educational and spiritual development, and showcase their talents on international Quranic platforms.
13/09/2026 More details  

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