Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s Contributions to Global Polio Eradication Reach $525 Million Since 2011.
Abu Dhabi: Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, has reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to combating polio, highlighting the country’s achievements in eliminating the disease domestically and its continued contributions to international eradication efforts.
He said the UAE’s humanitarian initiatives, guided by its leadership, reflect a national commitment to making public health a priority and protecting communities from preventable diseases.
In a statement marking World Polio Day on October 24, Al Sayegh praised the efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose contributions to global polio eradication initiatives have reached $525 million since 2011.
The funding reflects the UAE’s determination to help create a healthier future for children worldwide and support the goal of eliminating polio.
Al Sayegh emphasised that humanitarian responsibility extends to ensuring every child has access to essential vaccinations, particularly those living in remote regions and underserved communities.
He also highlighted the achievements of the UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign, which has administered more than 850 million vaccine doses in Pakistan since 2014.
The campaign forms part of the UAE’s sustained efforts to protect vulnerable children, strengthen immunisation coverage and prevent the spread of the disease.
Highlighting the country’s role in international cooperation, Al Sayegh recalled that the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, working alongside the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, organised a major global pledging event in Abu Dhabi in December 2025.
The gathering brought together international partners and resulted in funding pledges amounting to nearly $1.9 billion to support worldwide polio eradication efforts.
Al Sayegh emphasised that these financial commitments demonstrate the importance of international cooperation and securing the resources required to speed up efforts to eliminate polio worldwide.
He reiterated the UAE’s determination to strengthen global eradication initiatives through coordinated action, strategic partnerships and sustained humanitarian support.
The minister also praised the contributions of Dubai Humanitarian, an organisation operating under Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, for its important role in supporting international public health programmes.
Dubai Humanitarian helps facilitate the World Health Organisation’s logistics operations, including the distribution of essential laboratory materials used to detect poliovirus and support disease eradication activities.
Al Sayegh also highlighted the work of eHealth Africa, which operates from Dubai Humanitarian and has contributed to establishing and developing more than 50 polio outbreak response management rooms across 26 African countries.
The organisation has also introduced geospatial tracking technologies to improve the planning and implementation of vaccination campaigns.
These technologies have supported immunisation programmes that successfully vaccinated more than 14.6 million children across six states in Nigeria.
According to Al Sayegh, such achievements demonstrate the significant contribution of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to strengthening humanitarian cooperation and improving disease surveillance capabilities internationally.
He explained that these initiatives help expand vaccination coverage, enhance the monitoring of infectious diseases and reinforce the UAE’s commitment to protecting children from polio.
UAE records no polio cases since 1992
Al Sayegh further highlighted the UAE’s success in developing a comprehensive preventive healthcare system that has protected generations of residents against poliomyelitis.
He noted that the country has not recorded a polio case since 1992, attributing this achievement to effective public health policies, extensive immunisation programmes and integrated disease surveillance systems.
The minister said this milestone reflects the UAE’s strong healthcare infrastructure, institutional expertise and readiness to address public health challenges.
He added that these capabilities provide a foundation for maintaining long-term health security, preparing for emerging risks and ensuring continued protection for future generations.
Observed annually on October 24, World Polio Day aims to increase awareness of poliomyelitis, a potentially debilitating infectious disease, while recognising the international efforts underway to eliminate the virus.
The occasion also highlights the importance of vaccination, disease monitoring and global cooperation in achieving a future free from polio.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Has Contributed $525 Million to Worldwide Polio Eradication Efforts Since 2011
