Abu Dhabi [UAE]: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive national strategy to combat human papillomavirus (HPV), aiming to reduce cervical cancer rates and other HPV-related diseases in the UAE.
The ministry’s proactive plan focuses on increasing HPV vaccination coverage, early cervical cancer screening, and providing world-class treatment to affected individuals. The initiative is aligned with the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to public health.
MoHAP announced that the goal is to vaccinate 90% of girls under 15 by 2030. Additionally, the strategy mandates early cervical cancer screening beginning at age 25 and regular follow-ups to ensure early detection and effective intervention.
The UAE became the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to integrate the HPV vaccine into its national immunisation programme in 2018, initially targeting schoolgirls aged 13 to 14. In a progressive move, the ministry expanded the programme in 2023 to include boys of the same age group, aiming to enhance community protection and reduce virus transmission across genders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the UAE’s efforts, recognizing the effectiveness of its national immunisation system and its role in integrating the HPV vaccine into a modern, technologically advanced health infrastructure.
MoHAP stated that its strategy takes a holistic public health approach centered on prevention, awareness, and advanced immunisation technologies. These efforts are closely tied to the “Year of Community” initiative, which promotes health as a shared responsibility among individuals, institutions, and society at large.
Promoting early vaccination and regular screening, MoHAP emphasized, is key to building a resilient and healthy society, in line with the UAE’s vision for a high quality of life for all citizens and residents.
According to data from the National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the UAE, though the national incidence rate remains below the global average—a testament to the country’s effective prevention policies.
The Ministry recommends regular screening every three to five years for women aged 25 to 65, underscoring the role of early detection in improving survival rates and recovery outcomes.