Abu Dhabi Hosts First MENA Disease Elimination and Eradication Course to Strengthen Cross-Sector Collaboration
Abu Dhabi hosted the inaugural Middle East and North Africa (MENA) edition of the Disease Elimination and Eradication Course, marking the region’s first adaptation of a globally recognised public health training programme. Delivered through online learning from February to March 2026 and an in-person session in June, the course was jointly organised by GLIDE and Khalifa University to strengthen regional capacity for infectious disease elimination.
The programme brought together participants from ministries of health and agriculture, academic institutions, research organisations, WHO country offices, and PhD students from Khalifa University. The multidisciplinary curriculum combined epidemiology with practical public health strategies, emphasising country-led solutions, health system integration, One Health approaches, community engagement, behavioural science, monitoring and evaluation, and the application of artificial intelligence in disease control.
Experts from the University of Global Health Equity and the World Health Organization delivered specialised sessions on systems thinking, sustainable disease elimination, and innovative operational approaches.
A public seminar on AI and innovation in disease elimination highlighted emerging technologies, including AI-powered wastewater surveillance systems and Abu Dhabi’s dengue and arbovirus response initiatives. Participants also visited the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre to explore digital disease surveillance tools and monitoring systems.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment by GLIDE and Khalifa University to strengthen regional public health leadership through research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
