Ministry of Health and Prevention Featured in a Worldwide COVID-19 Response Recognition Program

Dubai UAE

Sallam Sallam

Adding yet another feather in its cap, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has been recognized at the International Hospital Federation Beyond the Call of Duty for COVID-19 Program for its COVID-19 response action plan along with over 100 hospitals from 28 countries.

The ministry said that the honour comes in recognition of its COVID-19 response action plan and going beyond the call of duty in line with its comprehensive strategy.

The honour also highlights the diversity and agility of the ministry’s hospitals in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, where they developed, implemented and adopted new ways to operate.

Furthermore, many of these changes have accelerated positive transformation in the country’s delivery of care.

The recognition badge was granted after conducting a thorough review of an international review committee consisting of 16 industry experts from the healthcare industry.

The ministry was recognized during a virtual event held by the International Hospital Federation (IHF) to announce the results of “Beyond the Call for Duty for Covid-19 Recognition Programme”, which has been launched early this year to recognise actions and responses of healthcare organisations and service providers around the world that went ‘beyond the call of duty’ such as putting in place innovative responses or actions when facing the Covid-19 pandemic in their region or country.

Well-deserved honour

HE Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Chairman of the Emirates Health Services Establishment, affirmed that the UAE, thanks to the outstanding capabilities of the health system and the continuous support of the wise leadership, has adopted a unique and efficient Emirati model that considered taking proactive preventive and precautionary measures to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

“The ministry’s comprehensive efforts being made are in line with the forward-looking plans and aspirations of the UAE government, which strives to become more adaptive to future challenges and faster in decision-making, so as to enhance its capabilities, quickly adapt to surrounding changes and prepare for the recovery phase post-Covid-19.

He went on to say that the Covid-19 challenge has demonstrated the distinctive efficiency of the country’s health system and the results of its long investment in the digital health infrastructure. In addition to attracting medical innovations to improve health care methods, and relying on a proactive healthcare model, the UAE is determined to continuously improve the treatment journey of patients, integrate smart services and artificial intelligence into healthcare services and build upon what has been accomplished according to thoughtful and integrated plans”.

The efficiency of UAE health system

For his part, Dr. Yousif Mohammed Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Establishment, said: “We are very honoured and proud that the Ministry of Health and prevention in all its institutions has received this important recognition from the International Hospital Federation at the “Beyond the Call of Duty for COVID-19 recognition Program” for our COVID-19 strategic Response.  It is yet another testament to the ministry’s exceptional ability to compete internationally and will further bolster its unique position globally by developing future agenda based on innovation and sustainability in the operational strategies and plans,”.

He lauded the sacrifices and unlimited contribution of the first line of defence heroes, who have formed pioneering models in humanitarian giving through their role and efforts in addressing the Coronavirus pandemic and preserving the lives of citizens and residents in the country, as they have borne the greatest burden in facing the epidemic.

“Setting up the PaCE COVID Hub, which is a smart and integrated platform for responding to Covid-19 cases, was a step in the right direction. It does not only contribute to decision-making but also to better bed management in hospitals, isolation and critical care departments, by providing live and real-time data for cases received from hospitals, national ambulance, operations centre, primary health care and preventive medicine, to receive and reorganize cases according to their classification and direct them to hospitals according to available beds and health service,” Al Serkal added.