Hamed bin Zayed opens the Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court, today opened the international multimedia exhibition Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, which brings to Abu Dhabi the story of global efforts to eliminate disease. The exhibition welcomes the public free of charge until November 14th, 2017 in a purpose-built structure on Al Maryah Island’s Promenade.

Sheikh Hamed toured the exhibition highlighting the journey of the progress made to eradicate Guinea worm disease and other debilitating diseases, as well as the UAE’s longstanding leadership and significant commitment to disease eradication around the world.

Sheikh Hamed was accompanied by high level dignitaries from across the health, culture, and philanthropy scene, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of the Department of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Dr. Maha Tayseer Barakat, Director General of HAAD, Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director General of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation, as well as Curtis Kohlhaas and Douglas Nelson, from the Carter Center, and Mark Siddall, from the American Museum of Natural History.

The exhibition has been organized by the Crown Prince Court in the lead up to the Global Health Forum Reaching the Last Mile – Mobilizing Together to Eliminate Infectious Disease, which will be held in November under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"Countdown to Zero tells the story of the remarkable progress that has been achieved in eradicating preventable and debilitating diseases, thanks to the ongoing contributions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and other global partners," said H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court.

"The exhibition highlights the need for more global efforts to wipe out diseases which continue to hinder growth, development, and prosperity in nations around the world, ahead of the Reaching the Last Mile global health forum in Abu Dhabi in November. Eliminating disease in marginalized communities transforms people’s lives for the better and is an important factor in sustainable economic and social development."

Countdown to Zero is organized into five zones. A Simple Privilege invites visitors to ‘step inside’ the exhibition and the shoes of Guinea worm victims by imagining a world without free-flowing water; The Little Dragon Rises explores a developing world in crisis; a fast-spreading epidemic brought to life through moving stories and powerful digital content, including case studies and a real Guinea worm.

The Battle for Eradication showcases the fight against Guinea worm disease, emphasizing the remarkable force of a coordinated effort connecting people all over the world. Visitors learn about champions who have committed their life’s work to the eradication program; Our Shared Vision recognizes the late Sheikh Zayed and President Carter alongside the global donors and partners who have made the near-eradication of Guinea worm possible; Reaching the Last Mile looks at some of the other preventable diseases that are being tackled by The Carter Center and the UAE, including malaria, river blindness, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma. This zone also explores polio through the UAE’s Polio Eradication Campaign.

Adults and children are welcomed to visit and learn about the Countdown to Zero, through different images, audiovisual content, scientific information and experiential and interactive exhibitions.

Countdown to Zero was created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, a leading not-for-profit organization with a focus on public health and disease eradication. The exhibition comes to Abu Dhabi as a new, expanded edition following popular residencies in New York, London, and Atlanta.

Versions of Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease have been exhibited at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in England.