The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joins the global community in celebrating World Polio Day, observed on October 24 each year, highlighting its significant accomplishments that have established the nation as a key player in the fight against this disease. This is largely attributed to humanitarian and developmental initiatives led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
One of the notable initiatives is the “Reaching the Last Mile” program, which has helped protect millions of children from the disease in some of the world’s most challenging regions.
This year’s observance comes amid global recognition of the UAE’s leadership role in supporting and financing vaccination campaigns as well as its ongoing efforts to ensure access to vaccines for the most vulnerable populations in remote and conflict-affected areas.
According to His Excellency Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, the UAE serves as a global model for polio eradication, achieving international acclaim due to initiatives by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aimed at supporting vaccination campaigns.
The UAE has also provided logistical assistance under the “Reaching the Last Mile” initiative, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has established effective partnerships with organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization, as well as financing an emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.
These contributions have garnered praise from the World Health Organization and regional organizations, acknowledging the UAE’s significant role in eradicating polio and creating a healthier, more prosperous future for children worldwide.
He emphasized that, thanks to the wise leadership’s directives and support, a national program to eradicate the polio virus has been established, which aims to maintain high vaccination coverage rates in line with the national immunization schedule, and also adopts an active case detection approach to identify and treat any cases promptly.
These health initiatives launched by the Ministry and its partners have led to the UAE’s global leadership in eradicating the disease, with the country proudly reporting no cases of polio for nearly three decades. This reflects the efficiency of its healthcare system and its commitment to prevention as a proactive approach to safeguarding community health for future generations.
Leadership
Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, noted that the UAE’s achievements in combating polio demonstrate the robust healthcare system that protects communities from diseases by fostering a comprehensive preventive approach.
The nation has maintained its polio-free status for over three decades, thanks to unwavering support from wise leadership, preventive planning, advanced infrastructure, and global health partnerships, making public health a national priority to enhance quality of life, ensuring a safe childhood, a secure present, and a hopeful future in alignment with sustainable development goals.
In a statement marking World Polio Day, he remarked that combating polio in the UAE represents a steadfast commitment that reflects national visions about protecting people starting from childhood.
The health of children is foundational for the future of society, making prevention a guiding philosophy characterized by awareness and responsibility, manifesting the belief that every child deserves to grow up in an environment free from health challenges.
From this perspective, the nation has transformed vaccination efforts into a societal norm, grounded in knowledge and modern technology, employing artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze infectious disease indicators to ensure proactive management.
Continued Support
He pointed out the UAE’s enduring humanitarian commitment, demonstrated through ongoing support for global initiatives in collaboration with the World Health Organization and UNICEF to reach children in need of vaccines, while enhancing health systems through contributions in funding, expertise, and training.
The UAE also shares best practices on the ground, maintaining the message that today’s children are tomorrow’s builders, and striving towards a world free of polio, ensuring life and accelerating development to achieve the goals of the “UAE Centennial 2071” vision.
It is noteworthy that World Polio Day aims to raise public awareness about the importance of eradicating the disease and emphasizes the need to continue vaccination campaigns to secure a future free of this life-threatening virus for children.
This event is celebrated annually to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, the inventor of the first polio vaccine, with this year’s theme being “A Healthier Future for Mothers and Children,” reaffirming the international community’s commitment to establishing health equity and ensuring a future devoid of infectious diseases.