World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April under the theme "Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria", is an important occasion to throw light on the UAE's tremendous efforts being made in support of the international efforts to reduce global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.
The UAE remains at the forefront of world countries in the fight against the spread of epidemics with a brilliant record of achievements locally and globally. Not only that but the UAE is considered among MENA's first countries to be declared a malaria-free country in 2007, something that confirms the state's outstanding healthcare capabilities in its fight against communicable diseases, including coronavirus.
The UAE's humanitarian initiatives and financial contributions for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and RBM Partnership to End Malaria program over the past years have played a crucial role in promoting health and treatment programs, implementing vaccination campaigns, and providing vaccines against many epidemic diseases in the world, such as malaria, cholera, Guinea worm disease, and polio.
According to Federal Law No. 14 of 2014 concerning the prevention of communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has developed an effective strategy and a highly efficient program for epidemiological surveillance, in cooperation with health authorities, to prevent the spread of malaria, in accordance with International Health Regulations to detect and treat incoming passengers and control the spread of insects in cooperation with neighborhood countries.
The ministry has also established Travelers Clinic, which provides infectious diseases vaccines free of charge to citizens and residents in preventive medicine centers and some selected primary health care centers. The clinic also offers health education and medications for malaria prevention to those heading to malaria-affected countries.
