UAE vows to keep supporting global efforts to end polio

The UAE has renewed its commitment to help the world eradicate polio. Till date, no polio cases have originated in the UAE, thanks to close monitoring and the hard work of various departments.

Today, World Polio Day, the country vowed to continue its efforts to eliminate the disease around the world.

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the UAE is an ‘exemplary role model’ in polio control and eradication, stressing that its leadership has given utmost importance to the cause.

Since 2011, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has pledged more than $250 million to support international efforts to fight the disease, the minister said.

“The funding reflects Sheikh Mohamed’s humanitarian commitment to lend a helping hand to millions of people for them to enjoy a healthy and decent life,” he added.

Since 1994, the UAE has been providing support and assistance to various countries in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Unicef and the Emirates Red Crescent, said Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Serkal, director-general of the Emirates Health Services (EHS).

The UAE has been declared a poliofree country in 2007, something that wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the support of its leaders, said Al Serkal.

Dr Mohammed Salim Al Olama, undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) and chairman of the Board of Directors of the EHS, said Mohap is committed to raising the strategic indicator of the rate of children’s coverage of immunisations in the first year. It also ensures that medical staff are updated with the latest developments in immunisation and prevention.

“The UAE has achieved outstanding results in dealing with this disease,” Al Olama said.