H.E. Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stressed that the UAE has achieved significant milestones in the global eradication against polio thanks to the strategic vision of the UAE’s leadership led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Al Owais emphasised that the humanitarian initiatives launched by the UAE President have played a fundamental role in supporting global efforts aimed at creating a polio-free world, fulfilling the aspirations of millions of children and their families for a healthy and dignified life.
The UAE’s Leading Role
In a statement marking World Polio Day on October 24, His Excellency stated, "The UAE is proud of its leading role in eradicating polio. Our humanitarian initiatives have reached millions of children worldwide, helping significantly reduce infection rates."
He also stressed that the UAE is committed to this humanitarian cause, as demonstrated by the sustained and effective support for international organisations leading large-scale vaccination campaigns in the most vulnerable regions.
His Excellency further lauded the recent initiative of the UAE President to allocate $5 million to the emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, noting that this reflects the UAE’s ongoing dedication to global humanitarian issues.
National Immunisation Campaigns
Al Owais highlighted that the UAE will continue to implement national immunisation campaigns against polio, ensuring comprehensive vaccination coverage through the latest international health protocols to protect the community.
He added that the Ministry’s commitment to these efforts aligns with its strategic vision to build an integrated health system for future generations, promote scientific research in infectious diseases, and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in health excellence and quality of life.