UAE President’s support advances global efforts to eradicate polio

The UAE has reaffirmed its commitment to global efforts to eradicate polio, highlighting its national success in keeping the country free of the disease since 1992.

Marking World Polio Day on October 24, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention said the UAE continues to support international vaccination programmes and efforts to protect children worldwide.

He highlighted the contribution of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has provided $525 million in international support for polio eradication since 2011.

The UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign has also delivered more than 850 million vaccine doses in Pakistan since 2014.

Meanwhile, the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, hosted a pledging event in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, securing international commitments totalling nearly $1.9 billion.

Al Sayegh also highlighted the role of Dubai Humanitarian in supporting the World Health Organisation’s logistics operations, including the delivery of laboratory supplies for polio detection.

He noted that eHealth Africa, based at Dubai Humanitarian, has helped establish more than 50 polio outbreak response centres across 26 African countries.

Its vaccination support programmes have helped immunise more than 14.6 million children across six Nigerian states.

Al Sayegh said the UAE will continue working with international partners to expand vaccination coverage, strengthen disease surveillance and advance the goal of a polio-free world.