Combatting communicable diseases

National Policy on Vaccinations

The National Policy on Vaccinations is a multi-sectoral national framework for combatting communicable diseases and reducing their risks to individuals and society.

The policy will act as a coordination framework for all parties involved in the immunisation field and enhance the efficiency of services. It also aims to:

bring together the non-governmental sector and community members to support the UAE's fight against communicable diseases by promoting a healthy lifestyle
ensure the delivery of the best quality of vaccination services and preventive care nationwide
make vaccines widely available, ensure their sustainability and quality, raise awareness on their importance, and support innovation and research in the field
enhance the country's position as a regional and international healthcare hub, in light of its development of a comprehensive and sustainable health system, and through ensuring the provision of the best quality immunisation services in compliance with international safety practices.

The policy was approved by the UAE Cabinet in September 2020. Read related news coverage on WAM.

Read about vaccines against COVID-19 in the UAE.

Implementing laws and resolutions on combatting communicable diseases

Federal Law No.14 of 2014 on Combatting Communicable Diseases (the law) (550 KB, PDF in Arabic) applies to every person in the UAE and on all communicable diseases listed in the appendix of the law. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, Ministry of Health and Prevention added COVID-19 in the list of communicable diseases mentioned in the said federal law.

Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2016 which relates to the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No. 14 of 2014 mandates relevant authorities to implement strategies and plans to reduce the rates of infection and deaths caused by communicable diseases, through early detection and control of infected cases and sources of contagion.

The resolution defines the terms used and the ways to report such diseases, including those that could be transmitted from animals, the measures that ought to be followed when any of the listed communicable diseases are discovered and how to fight it.

Furthermore, it includes the rights and duties of patients with communicable diseases, conditions of isolation and quarantine, procedures to deal with deaths and those who arrive in the country with infections or suspected to be infected of such diseases.

Reporting communicable diseases

Under the law, communicable diseases must be reported. Failure to do so will make the person liable to penalties including jail or fine or both. Here are some of the other provisions of the law:

Doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medical professionals in the government and the private sector must report within 24 hours about any person suffering from or who has died of a communicable disease.
Adults who came in contact with a person infected or suspected to be infected with a communicable disease must also report the incident immediately to the nearest health authority in the country.
Any person who knows that he suffers from a communicable disease and yet intentionally indulges in a behaviour that exposes others to transmission is liable by law.
Whoever knows that he is infected or suspects to be infected and fails to inform the health authorities is liable by law.
Individuals who fail to show up for tests and treatment despite knowing that they are infected or likely to have been infected and those who refuse to adhere to the preventive measures or prescriptions and instructions given will be prosecuted.

How to report communicable diseases?

Private sector medical facilities in Dubai submit notification about any infectious disease to Dubai Health Authority

In Abu Dhabi, health care providers can report through Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

Sharing health information on communicable diseases

The UAE Cabinet passed a resolution in April 2020, on publishing and sharing health information related to communicable diseases. The resolution provides information and guidelines on the correct procedure which would be through spokespersons, experts and government officials authorised to do so. The resolution is aimed at quelling the act of spreading rumours and fake news.

The resolution stipulates that Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and local health authorities will announce all health information, adopt health guidelines in the country and publish the health guidelines related to communicable diseases after obtaining approval of National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

Under the resolution, it is prohibited to publish, republish or circulate false and misleading health-related information or guidelines any information that is not announced officially or is not approved by MoHaP or other health authorities, or the information contradicts with what has been announced through print, audio, visual media or through social media, websites, IT tools or other types of media.

Ministries and federal and local entities are required to seek NCEMA's approval before replying to or commenting on any health information related to epidemics. After approval from NCEMA, they need to nominate official spokespersons for speaking on the matter. The UAE Government Communication Office at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet shall select and approve the spokespersons.

Violators will face a fine of up to AED 20,000 for publishing or re-publishing false and misleading health information. MoHaP or other health authorities may impose the fine and follow up on compliance with the resolution.

Read related news coverage on WAM.

Setting a national policy for disease prevention

The UAE's National Policy for Disease Prevention aims to enhance the preventive measures of communicable diseases in the UAE through detection and control.

Introducing health programmes

The UAE initiated various health programmes to combat communicable and contagious diseases. Some of the programmes are:

The National Immunisation Programme
The National Polio Eradication Programme
The National Malaria Control programme
The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program
The National Programme on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS
The Screening Programme for Residency
The National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

Establishing medical fitness centres for residency

In light of the presence of a high number of foreign workers in the UAE, the UAE established medical fitness centres for residency. In order to be able to obtain a work permit or a residence visa, foreign nationals need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and syphilis.

Launching vaccination programmes

The UAE provides vaccination to all children residing in the country as a first defence line against the emergence of communicable and contagious diseases. These include vaccinations against tuberculosis, BCG, hepatitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenza and pneumococcal influenza.

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