Dubai WHO hub ships aid to 74 nations as UAE outlines health reforms

Dubai’s WHO logistics hub delivered medical supplies to 74 countries during the 2025‑2026 period, the UAE announced at a regional health meeting in Cairo on Fri 16 Oct 2026, 1:51 PM.

Medical supplies distribution

The hub’s activity was reported during the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, which ran from 13 to 15 October. Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, highlighted the UAE’s support for air cargo flights carrying medical supplies to Gaza. The UAE also urged that health facilities and healthcare workers be protected and that essential services continue in areas affected by crises.

UAE health achievements and policies

The UAE recorded the Eastern Mediterranean Region’s highest universal health coverage service coverage index, according to the meeting’s annual report. Additional achievements noted were the removal of industrially produced trans fats from locally manufactured processed foods, the introduction of patient safety practices across both public and private healthcare sectors, and the establishment of an independent authority to regulate medicines and medical products. The country has also developed an integrated system for health surveillance and data sharing to improve preparedness and speed up decision‑making. Implementation of the National Health Workforce Strategy for 2026‑2030 has begun, aiming to strengthen the health workforce and develop primary healthcare and emergency response capabilities. At the same meeting, the UAE discussed plans for a national health insurance system intended to support sustainable health financing, broaden health protection and improve the quality of services.

Polio eradication efforts

At a separate meeting focused on polio eradication and outbreaks, the UAE delegation called for international partnerships to be linked with immunisation programmes and disease surveillance. It highlighted a US$140 million contribution from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, which forms part of international pledges totalling US$1.9 billion towards polio eradication. The UAE said commitments by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan towards polio eradication have reached US$525 million since 2011, and that more than 850 million vaccine doses have been delivered in Pakistan through supported efforts. In Afghanistan, the UAE is helping lead the Polio Legacy Challenge with regional and international partners; the initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare, immunisation and health infrastructure alongside efforts to eradicate polio. Al Rand said the UAE is using international partnerships and expertise to expand preventive services, strengthen countries’ ability to protect children and make progress towards eliminating targeted diseases, and that it will continue working with WHO and other partners to improve primary healthcare, surveillance and preparedness.