ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has given more than Dh121 million in the last two years to get vaccines to poverty-stricken children worldwide.
Under his patronage, the Global Vaccine Summit will be another critical step in ensuring every child has a healthy start in life, he said.
“The Global Vaccine Summit is a historic gathering of global leaders and innovators whose collaboration can have a significant and positive impact on ensuring a healthy global society,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“Under the guidance of His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, we remain committed to supporting the delivery of life-saving vaccines to children around the world.”
Sheikh Mohammed donated Dh184m two years ago to the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund.
Bill Gates matched this and the partnership has helped immunise five million children in Afghanistan against six deadly diseases.
The money is helping the organisation and Unicef workers reach about 35 million children in Afghanistan and Pakistan with oral polio vaccines.
Immunisations reach 80 per cent of the world’s children, saving 2.5 million lives a year. But 23 million youngsters get missed each year, said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
[ jbell@thenational.ae ]