UAE’s COVID-19 response based on continuous assessment and evaluation, says the official spokesperson for UAE healthcare sector

UAE’s COVID-19 response based on continuous assessment and evaluation, says the official spokesperson for UAE healthcare sector

 

 

 

  • Dr Farida Al Hosani has outlined the UAE’s response to COVID-19 centred on five pillars: healthcare readiness, adopting technologies, unified communication, effective collaboration and emergency response system
  • In total, 134 countries benefited from aid from the UAE and US$10 million in-kind aid to the World Health Organisation
  • Medlab Middle East which continues live and in-person on 24 June in Dubai
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    Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2021: During the COVID-19 Special Edition Conference at Medlab Middle East, Dr Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson for the UAE Healthcare Sector, discussed the UAE’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She highlighted that the UAE’s COVID-19 response was based on continuous assessment and evaluation of the epidemiological status and dynamic action to minimise the impact of the disease. The UAE’s response was centered on five pillars: healthcare readiness, adopting technologies, unified communication, effective collaboration and having an emergency response system.

    Addressing the audience via video link, Dr Al Hosani, who is also the director of the Communicable Diseases Department of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), explained that the UAE’s preparedness to deal with infectious diseases began long before COVID-19, helping to create an agile healthcare infrastructure to deal with the pandemic.

    Dr Al Hosani said: “The adoption of technologies helped the country rapidly upgrade its testing capabilities and diagnostic methods. Unified communication methods were successfully used to build a level of trust between the people and the government. Collaboration between different sectors and institutions, both private and public, has been tremendous and is one of the main success factors in dealing with the pandemic.

    “The UAE’s emergency response system is also very mature and well established, and has been ranked at the top of the global list of emergency preparedness for the handling of the pandemic.”

    Some of the key success drivers of the UAE’s response to the pandemic include improving monitoring and early detection by expanding the number of surveillance team field medical teams, investing in laboratory capabilities to accelerate testing by adopting the world’s first Laboratory Business Management System and establishing drive-through centres across the country, establishing a Home Isolation Programme to provide a better experience for patients, adopting a dynamic dashboard for monitoring the performance of the pandemic measures and overall health system, and a heat map initiative for focused testing and screening in high-risk areas.

    “The UAE’s experience with the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials is one to be learned from as it successfully instilled confidence in the population and prepared them for the rollout of the vaccine,” Dr Al Hosani explained. “The awareness and education campaigns carried out in the UAE were one of the main reasons behind 60% of the population receiving their vaccinations to date, including 90% of those over 60 years.”

    In conclusion, Dr Al Hosani highlighted the UAE’s role in supporting the international community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The UAE has delivered 1,789 tons of medical supplies, including 4.25 million PCR testing kits and 2,060 ventilators. In total, 134 countries benefited from aid from the UAE and US$10 million in-kind aid to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Coinciding with Arab Health, Medlab Middle East will continue on Thursday 24 June at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracting a range of key laboratory and trade professionals from across the region for the live and in-person event and featuring keynote speeches and scientific lectures, industry briefings, product demonstrations and networking opportunities, as well as a series of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, with an emphasis on creating lasting relationships.

    Rejoy Penacerrada, Conference Director for Informa Markets, said: “Delegates from across the region will convene tomorrow for the final day of the Medlab Congress. This year’s Blood Transfusion Conference will look to deep dive into session topics such as the insights on COVID-19 and the implication on blood services, donors and donations while the Molecular Diagnostics Conference is set to discuss molecular diagnostic techniques, Next Generation Sequencing and genomic testing, for example.”

    A virtual showcase of Medlab Middle East will continue until 22 July.

    For more information, please visit www.medlabme.com.


    Notes to editors:

    About Medlab Middle East

    As the MENA region's most prominent medical laboratory exhibition and congress, Medlab Middle East plays a crucial role in developing the value of laboratory medicine in reshaping the future of diagnostics by providing a platform for laboratory industry leaders, including manufacturers, dealers and distributors, to share best practice, showcase innovations, collaborate and network.

    Medlab Middle East stems from 15 years of growth alongside the MENA region's largest healthcare event, Arab Health. Moving into its 5th year as a stand-alone show, this annual medical laboratory meeting brings together exhibitors and attendees from over 140+ countries

    Medlab Middle East will take place from 21 – 24 June 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE. A digital event will occur from 23 May – 22 July 2021.

    Website:           medlabme.com

    Facebook:        facebook.com/medlabseries  

    Twitter:              @MedlabSeries #myMedlab

    Instagram:        @medlab.series

    LinkedIn:            Medlab Middle East

     

    About Arab Health

    Arab Health is the largest healthcare event in the Middle East and is organised by Informa Markets. Established 46 years ago, Arab Health provides a platform for the world’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and subcontinent.

    Arab Health Congress is reputed for delivering the highest quality Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conferences to medical professionals in the region.

    Arab Health 2021 will take place from 21-24 June 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and in a digital event format from 23 May-22 July 2021.

    Website:           www.arabhealthonline.com

    Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/ArabHealth/

    Twitter:             @Arab_Health #ArabHealth

    Linkedin:           Arab Health Forum

    Instagram:        @arabhealthonline

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