UAE Highlights Global Efforts In Polio Eradication On World Polio Day 2023

World Polio Day is observed annually on 24th October, highlighting global efforts to eradicate the disease. The UAE has played a significant role in these efforts, providing substantial financial support for vaccination campaigns worldwide. The country has been instrumental in delivering life-saving vaccines to children, particularly in remote areas like Pakistan.

The UAE's commitment to eradicating polio is evident through its "Reaching the Last Mile" initiative. Since 2011, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has contributed over AED1.3 billion to this cause. This initiative includes the UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign as part of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme.

From 2014 to September 2023, the UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign administered more than 700 million doses of polio vaccines to children in Pakistan. This massive effort underscores the UAE's dedication to combating polio and ensuring healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

On 30th August, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed directed US$5 million towards an emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. This decision followed the first reported case of the virus in the Strip and aims to vaccinate over 640,000 children, reflecting the UAE's ongoing humanitarian support for Gaza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude for the UAE's contributions. He acknowledged its pivotal role in advancing global efforts to eliminate polio, emphasising that such contributions bring the world closer to eradicating it entirely.

Polio remains a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years old. It spreads through person-to-person contact and attacks the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis. Despite significant progress, polio cases have been reduced by 99% since 1988, from 350,000 cases annually to just a few in isolated regions.

The UAE's dedication to fighting polio highlights its humanitarian values and commitment to promoting human development initiatives worldwide. By focusing on healthcare access for vulnerable populations, the country continues to play a crucial role in global health efforts.

With inputs from WAM