Roberto Speranza (5th from right) poses with other dignitaries at Department of Health in Abu Dhabi. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE’s exemplary efforts in combating the coronavirus pandemic has received praise from Italian Minister of Health and the current president of the G20 Ministers of Health.

Roberto Speranza also appreciated the UAE for the speed in implementing one of the most effective COVID-19 responses globally, which is evident with one of the lowest mortality and infection rate around the world.

“The proactive approach of the UAE ensured the health and safety of the community and maintained the vitality of the local economy,” Speranza added.

The Italian minister made the comment during his visit to the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH).

Speranza was accompanied by Nicola Lehner, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, and their accompanying delegation.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of DoH, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Under-Secretary of DoH, Matar Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and a number of officials from DoH and ADPHC welcomed the dignitaries.

The visit was enriched with knowledge transfer and various learnings involved in fighting the COVID-19 global pandemic over the last 20 months. Both parties exchanged scientific opportunities and probed practical methods in epidemiology, research, technology, and innovation.

They also examined future partnerships in the areas of preventive medicine, telemedicine, biotechnology, genomics, life science, and medical technologies.

Al Hamed said, "The UAE’s achievements are guided by the wise direction of our government and their continuous support to ensure the wellbeing of the UAE. The last 20 months were challenging yet rewarding. It gave us many lessons, but most of all with the confidence of carrying the journey that our leadership has set up to make Abu Dhabi one of the best healthcare systems globally.”

“We are pleased to welcome Roberto Speranza, who we have shared their experience in response to the pandemic and conversed about ways of cooperation between the UAE and Italy in the healthcare sector. We shared many of the common challenges that we faced and agreed to take the collaboration forward to serve our respected nations and the wider world," Al Hamed said.