SAMI ABDUL RAOUF (DUBAI)
The UAE ranked first globally in 8 health indicators, and was second globally in two indicators, leading the Arab world in all categories according to data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre concerning global reports issued for 2023.
Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, said in a statement to Aletihad: “The country has achieved continuous achievements in terms of its progress in global competitive indicators in the health field, and these indicators put the UAE among the first countries in the world during the past year under the leadership President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
He added: “Last year, we were able to achieve qualitative new achievements in the health field, thanks to the ambitious and insightful forward-looking vision of our wise leadership, which enhances development, sustainable prosperity, investment in human health and wellbeing, and builds a bright and promising future with more achievements.”
Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Sarkal, Director General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, stressed that the results of global health-related indicators contribute to strengthening the country’s position globally and developing planning and empowerment strategies to achieve future goals and anticipate the future of health care in the country.
He pointed out that the UAE’s global leadership in many health sector indicators is due to the country’s tremendous capabilities in the health sector, and reflected in the country’s achievements towards the goals of the UAE Strategy 2071 and the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UAE came first globally and in the Arab world in measles immunisation, according to the Prosperity Index 2023, issued by Legatum Institute. This indicator monitors the percentage of children between 12 and 23 months old who received vaccinations.
A child is considered sufficiently immunised against measles after receiving one dose of the vaccine. Immunisation against measles is mandatory for all students starting from kindergarten to the twelfth grade (or equivalent) in the UAE, except for those who have documented medical contraindications. The vaccination is given free of charge, and is provided to students at school.
The UAE also ranked first globally and in the Arab world in prenatal care coverage, low infant mortality rate, injuries from natural disasters, and the presence of national early detection programmes, according to the Prosperity Index 2023.
Health authorities in the UAE are implementing many important projects and national programmes related to early disease detection, whether communicable or non-communicable, and are strengthening health surveillance systems in the country to enable early detection and rapid response to epidemics.
Health authorities provide comprehensive periodic examinations to prevent noncommunicable diseases within the national strategy to combat noncommunicable diseases. Early disease detection makes treatment easier, less expensive, and more effective.
The UAE ranked first globally in the least deaths resulting from violence per 100,000 people, according to the Travel and Tourism Development Report 2021 issued by the World Economic Forum.
According to the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Index issued by the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the UAE also ranked first in the world for number of births registered with the civil authorities.
The UAE also ranked first in the world in the extent of health care coverage and the lack of fuel-caused air pollution inside of homes, according to the Prosperity Index 2023.
The country also placed first in the Arab world and second globally in terms of satisfaction with health care according to the Prosperity Index 2023, based on a measurement of the population’s satisfaction with the availability of quality health care through a Gallup World Poll.
The UAE also ranked first in the Arab world and second globally in the rate of tuberculosis infection per 100,000 population, according to the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Index.
The country’s health authorities and their strategic partners have implemented many preventive strategies to reduce and control the spread of tuberculosis, including unifying surveillance methods and treatment systems.
Tuberculosis medications are available on an ongoing basis, and work is underway to build healthcare workers’ capacities. Preventative vaccinations are given to children at birth, and a tuberculosis screening programme, such as a medical fitness examination, is required for those seeking residency in the country.
The UAE’s health legislation allows for residents infected with the disease to seek treatment, and the healthcare system has introduced modern diagnostic tools and innovative programmes, which have contributed significantly to reducing the rates of tuberculosis infection.