H.E. Al Olama: The UAE's success in combating polio is a testament to the excellence of the healthcare system

UAE, Dubai October 23^rd, 2025: H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, stressed that the UAE's success in combating polio is a testament to the leadership and excellence of its healthcare system, which plays a fundamental role in safeguarding society from diseases through a comprehensive preventive approach.

Al Olama noted that the UAE has maintained its polio-free status for more than three decades, thanks to the unlimited support of the nation's wise leadership, proactive planning, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and international health partnerships.

Such efforts, he said, have made public health a national priority to enhance the quality of life, thus ensuring that our present remains secure, and our future promising in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Health for Future Generations

In a statement on World Polio Day, H.E. Al Olama stated: “In the UAE, the fight against polio is a steadfast commitment that reflects the nation's belief that protecting human life begins from childhood, and that a child's health forms the basis upon which the future of society is built.

Prevention, therefore, has become a philosophy of life, inspired by awareness, driven by responsibility, and founded on the vision that every child deserves to grow up in an environment that is free from health challenges.

From this perspective, the UAE has transformed immunization efforts into a social culture backed by knowledge and modern technology, while employing artificial intelligence to monitor and analyse communicable disease indicators, thus ensuring proactive and effective responses.”

World Without Polio

H.E. Al Olama further highlighted that the UAE's humanitarian spirit is reflected in its constant support for global initiatives in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, to reach children in need of vaccines and enhance the resilience of health systems. This support is delivered through funding, sharing expertise, training, and transforming best practices into real-world application.

He emphasized that the UAE will continue to promote its enduring message: the children of today are the builders of tomorrow and our end goal will remain a world free of polio, a world where life is protected, progress is accelerated, and the aspirations of the ‘UAE Centennial 2071' are realized.”