The consultative meeting for the for the World Health Organization (WHO) member states was held here yesterday to discuss the draft of the working plan for combating blindness, prepared by WHO at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program was supported by all member states at the meeting of WHO held in Geneva last May. Dr Abdulaziz al-Rajihi, the member of the national committee for combating blindness, managed discussions on the various articles for the proposed plan. The draft of the working plan will be submitted to WHO's executive committee at its meeting in January 2009. The election the Kingdom for the chairmanship of the meeting came in recognition of its significant role in combating blindness through the WHO. The participants of the meeting reviewed the strategic goals as well as the six goals set for the implementation the working plan. The Kingdom's proposals in this respect include appointment of coordinators for the blindness program in each of the organization's regions. The draft of the working plan will be submitted to the executive council before Oct 17, 2008 and the executive council will discuss it in January 2009. If it is approved then it will be submitted to the 62nd meeting of WHO's general assembly due to be held in Geneva in May 2009.
