ABU DHABI, 24th April 2025 (WAM) -- The UAE is at the forefront of international efforts to reduce the spread of malaria, with its humanitarian initiatives and financial contributions playing a pivotal role in accelerating progress towards a world free of the disease.

As the UAE marks 28 years without a locally transmitted case of malaria since 1997, and 18 years since being officially declared malaria-free, the disease continues to pose a global threat. According to the World Health Organisation, malaria caused the deaths of 597,000 people worldwide in 2023.

On the occasion of World Malaria Day, observed annually on 25th April, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Deputy CEO of the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), affirmed that malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with an estimated 263 million cases reported in 2023.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Hosani said GLIDE is part of the UAE's legacy and continued commitment to combating infectious diseases around the world, under the patronage and guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The institute prioritises research and innovation to guide global strategies through evidence-based policies, studies and research that support disease eradication.

Dr. Al Hosani underscored the importance of coordinated international efforts in effectively addressing malaria, noting that many countries continue to face challenges such as limited human resources and research capacity necessary for treatment, prevention and elimination.

Established in 2019, GLIDE has made a significant contribution to the global health sector and to efforts to eliminate infectious diseases. Over the past six years, it has launched dozens of programmes in nearly 30 countries.

The Last Mile Initiative, a global health programme supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced in April 2024 a new grant of AED55 million to GLIDE - its second grant since the institute's inception.

The UAE continues to contribute its expertise and resources to global malaria control efforts. International health organisations have commended the country's role in advancing malaria eradication, including its support for Malaria No More, the Last Mile Initiative, and sustained humanitarian efforts to enhance health and treatment programmes in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

In 2020, the UAE launched the Forecasting Healthy Futures (FHF) initiative to accelerate the fight against deadly mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria.

In January 2022, FHF established the Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions (IMACS), a global body dedicated to tackling malaria amid increasing climate-related challenges.

In early January 2023, the Reaching the Last Mile initiative, Malaria No More and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) announced the expansion of FHF through a new three-year grant totalling US$5 million.

Locally, the UAE continues to implement a robust strategy through the Ministry of Health and Prevention to protect society from communicable and infectious diseases. This includes a proactive preventive health system and an epidemiological surveillance programme to detect and manage cases entering the country.