Dr Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Re-elected as IAPB EMR Regional Chair: A Visionary Leader Driving Eye Health Forward

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness recently announced the re-election of Dr Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al Rajhi as Chair of the EMR. This significant reappointment, alongside his continued membership on the IAPB Council for a four-year term, follows the recent IAPB Assembly meeting held in Nepal. This is excellent news for eye health across the EMR, as Dr Al Rajhi’s career is marked by a profound commitment to improving eye care outcomes.

As the Chief Executive Officer at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center(KKESH&RC) in Riyadh, Dr Al Rajhi leads one of the most advanced eye care centers in the region. Under his guidance, KKESH has not only raised the standards of ophthalmological care but has also been training a majority of Saudi ophthalmology consultants.

Dr Al Rajhi has been a long-standing and influential figure within the IAPB, serving as a former Regional Co-Chair and later as the Chair of the IAPB Eastern Mediterranean Region. In these roles, he has tirelessly worked to unite efforts across 22 countries. His dedication was evident in organizing the highly successful 7th General Assembly of IAPB in Dubai in 2004, a landmark event for the organization that significantly boosted regional collaboration.

In recent years, his strategic priorities for the EMR have focused on establishing effective communication networks among national blindness prevention program coordinators, strengthening areas of weakness in healthcare systems, and re-establishing regional meetings to enhance knowledge transfer.

Dr Al Rajhi’s re-election comes at a crucial time as the IAPB continues to implement its ambitious “2030 In Sight” strategy, which aims to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to quality eye care. The entire EMR eye health community looks forward to the continued positive impact of his visionary leadership.