AED 55 Million Boost From Reaching The Last Mile To Eradicate Infectious Diseases
Reaching the Last Mile, a global health initiative led by the philanthropy of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has pledged an AED55 million commitment to the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE). This marks the initiative's second significant contribution to GLIDE since its inception in 2019. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at the AVPN Global Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The grant underscores Reaching the Last Mile's dedication to GLIDE's vision of a world devoid of preventable infectious diseases and boosts efforts towards the elimination and eradication of such diseases. Nassar Al Mubarak, CEO of Reaching the Last Mile, highlighted that this grant mirrors the ongoing commitment under His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's leadership to enhance global health outcomes and combat infectious diseases affecting vulnerable communities worldwide.
GLIDE, established by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in 2019, aims to expedite the elimination of preventable infectious diseases, including malaria, polio, lymphatic filariasis, and river blindness. The institute has become a pivotal part of the global health sector by building technical expertise within Abu Dhabi and connecting endemic countries with international partners for better disease elimination strategies.
Simon Bland, CEO of GLIDE, expressed gratitude for the continued support from Reaching the Last Mile. He emphasized that this renewed commitment is a strong endorsement of GLIDE's mission and its potential to significantly impact global health and infectious disease management. The funding will enable GLIDE to enhance its collaborative efforts with communities and global partners to eradicate these ancient diseases.
Over the past five years, GLIDE has initiated over 45 programs in 30 countries, collaborating with local and international stakeholders to increase in-country capacity, fund research, and support innovations aimed at achieving disease elimination targets. Additionally, GLIDE has contributed to educating numerous students and public health professionals through its Disease Elimination and Eradication Course. The institute's Falcon Awards for Disease Elimination have also provided a platform for discovering and expanding innovative projects that support disease elimination objectives.
The ongoing challenges posed by climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and humanitarian crises threaten progress against major infectious diseases. Without intervention, these diseases will continue to affect billions of people globally, undermining their health, communities, and economies. This strategic reinvestment in GLIDE is crucial for advancing towards the final stages of disease elimination and addressing these systemic challenges effectively.
With inputs from WAM
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