Coronavirus: How UAE has helped fight spread of viral diseases globally

Dubai - Humanitarian and financial initiatives have played a key role in supporting health and medical programmes around the world.

By Wam

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(File photo used for illustrative purpose)
(File photo used for illustrative purpose)

Published: Sun 27 Dec 2020, 7:17 PM

Last updated: Sun 27 Dec 2020, 7:24 PM

The UAE is on the frontlines of combatting the spread of epidemics globally. It is one of the "key supporters" of international efforts to prevent the spread of viral diseases that pose serious threats to human safety, state news agency Wam reported.

The UAE is marking the annual International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on today, December 27. It was launched by the United Nations (UN) to promote the importance of preventive action against epidemics, highlighting the major importance of global partnerships and solidarity.


Humanitarian and financial initiatives provided by the UAE have played a key role in supporting health and medical programmes; implementing vaccination campaigns; and providing vaccines for many viral diseases around the world, most notably malaria, cholera, Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) and poliomyelitis.

The coronavirus pandemic has again highlighted the importance of the UAE’s role in combatting viral diseases. The country provided urgent humanitarian and medical aid to some 100 countries, benefiting millions of frontline workers in their fight against the pandemic.


"Locally, the UAE has set unique examples of handling the pandemic since the early stage of the crisis, in terms of the number of daily tests, monitoring, and responding to the needs of the health sector," the report released on Sunday said.

The UAE was among the first countries to establish specialist centres for diseases and epidemics, known as 'Coronavirus Control Centres'.

On the sidelines of the UAE Government’s meeting held in May 2020, the country revealed that it is drafting a national preparedness and future epidemics management strategy. It is also increasing government investments in medicine and vaccine production to combat future epidemics.

"Since 1990, the UAE’s leadership has been committed to supporting the efforts to eliminate diseases that threaten mankind. The Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was among the first to support these efforts, and his legacy is now being continued by the country, under the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan," the report concluded.


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