Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the precautionary measures taken to combat the epidemic in the UAE as emergency teams work round-the-clock to monitor emerging cases in collaboration with hospitals and health centres across the country. Medical efforts are focused on implementing preventive measures in line with the World Health Organization’s protocols.

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In a phone call, Sheikh Mohammed told Dr Sara Kazim, Head of the Emergency Department at Rashid Hospital: “We are proud of you and proud of all our doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare professionals.”

He added: “You are on the frontline of our nation’s defence against the epidemic, and you are fulfilling a great and noble mission, but it isn’t done yet.”

He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support to medical teams in the country’s fight against the epidemic, stressing readiness to provide everything needed to ensure public safety.

Kazim submitted a report to Sheikh Mohammed that detailed the round-the-clock Emergency Centre’s operations, which includes meetings with senior management, monitoring the latest global developments on the coronavirus spread and laying out all possible incidents to implement the necessary precautionary measures. She stressed that the UAE’s health sector is fully equipped to address any emergencies.

Expressing great appreciation for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s support and constant follow up on the team’s progress, Kazim stressed that the efficiency of the medical teams in UAE has been made possible by the leadership’s guidance.

She added that teams at the Emergency Centre are ready to provide all kinds of medical services and supplies if demand increases. Kazim noted that hospitals have increased their capacities, providing more hospital beds, critical care facilities and prepared medical cadres to tackle and contain any emerging situations.

She told Sheikh Mohammed that the public have responded positively to instructions and guidelines issued by health and security authorities that ranged from social distancing, staying home and avoiding hospital visits unless necessary, all of which enhance the efficiency of the country’s healthcare sector.

The DHA’s Emergency Centre receives coronavirus patients from all over the country, and places them in quarantine and provides necessary medical care. It also conducts tests and monitors suspected cases, in addition to testing people in contact with diagnosed patients and placing them under medical supervision. The Centre also monitors the quarantine process, placing patients in specialised centres.

Over the past few weeks, the UAE has implemented a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) including distance learning in schools and universities across the country, work from home policies, and flight suspensions.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have ordered the closure of commercial centres and shopping malls, excluding grocery stores and pharmacies for a renewable period of two weeks.  Under the decision, restaurants are also not allowed to receive customers, limiting their services only to home deliveries.

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Interior and NCEMA urged UAE citizens, residents and visitors to avoid leaving their homes unless it is necessary to buy essential items. Both authorities also urged using family cars with a maximum of three individuals per vehicle and constantly wearing face masks when out of the house. The public was also advised to practise social distancing during family gatherings as part of the precautionary measures taken to ensure public health and safety.