World TB Day in the UAE: why the country has one of the lowest TB rates

World TB Day in the UAE: why the country has one of the lowest TB rates

Where the UAE stands

World TB Day falls on 24 March each year. The theme in 2025 is "Yes! We can end TB". The UAE is often cited as having one of the lowest tuberculosis rates in the world. That is the result of long-standing surveillance, vaccination, and treatment programmes, not luck.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention and Emirates Health Services run awareness and screening efforts and mark World TB Day with events and outreach. The World Health Organization stresses that ending TB needs commitment, investment, and delivery of proven interventions. In the UAE, standardised protocols, steady supply of medicines, and training of health workers support low rates. If you have been in close contact with someone with TB or have symptoms such as a long-lasting cough, weight loss, or night sweats, see a doctor. TB is treatable.

When to see a doctor

  • Long-lasting cough
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Close contact with someone diagnosed with TB

What you can do

Get informed from official sources. Support awareness. If you have concerns about your own health, talk to a healthcare provider. You can search for clinics and providers by location, or read more on our blog. This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice.

Why the UAE's TB rates stay low

Surveillance and early detection help keep case numbers down. Health workers are trained to recognise possible TB and to follow standardised protocols. The WHO theme for World TB Day 2025, "Yes! We can end TB", reflects the goal of ending the disease as a public health threat through testing, treatment, and support.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for your own situation.

For more on TB and respiratory health, see General health check-ups in Dubai.

Sources

  1. Ministry of Health and Prevention , World Tuberculosis Day
  2. Emirates Health Services , World TB Day and TB programmes
  3. World Health Organization , Yes! We can end TB (World TB Day 2025)