In yet another significant achievement, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has received recognition at the International Hospital Federation’s "Beyond the Call of Duty for COVID-19 Programme" for its proactive response action plan against the Coronavirus pandemic.

The ministry highlighted that the recognition has come in line with the UAE's rapid response to the COVID-19 with assistance from more than 100 hospitals from 28 countries. The Ministry of Health and Prevention was given the honour for going beyond the call of duty in view of its comprehensive strategy against the pandemic.

The ministry's diverse and agile line of hospitals helped in responding to the pandemic crisis by developing, adopting and implementing new strategies of operating their action plan.

It is important to note that changes triggered by COVID-19 led to positive transformation in the delivery of care by the UAE authorities.

The Federation's international review committee that consisted of 16 healthcare industry experts conducted a thorough review in the COVID-19 response of various countries following which the MoHAP received the recognition.

The International Hospital Federation (IHF) held a virtual conference and announced the results of the programme, honouring the ministry for its response. The "Beyond the Call of Duty for COVID-19 Programme" was launched earlier this year to recognise responses and action plans of healthcare organisations and service providers across the world that went beyond their call of duty and helped in combatting the spread of the pandemic, These services can vary from putting innovative responses in place to taking appropriate action against the pandemic in a specific region or country.

Responding to the development, Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Emirates Health Services Establishment, underlined that the UAE adopted a unique and efficient model to implement proactive preventive and precautionary measures to contain the pandemic outbreak. The Emirati model was adopted with the support and guidance of the UAE's wise leadership in line with the outstanding capabilities of the health system.

He said that the ministry made comprehensive efforts in accordance with the forward-looking vision of the UAE government with the aim of becoming more adaptive to future challenges and ensure rapid decision-making. With comprehensive efforts, the UAE government also seeks to boost its capabilities, quickly adapt to the changing environment and prepare for the recovery phase.

Dr. Yousif Mohammed Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Establishment, expressed proud that the Ministry of Health and Prevention received the important recognition from the International Hospital Federation for its strategic response to the pandemic.

He further hailed the unlimited sacrifices and contributions made by the frontline heroes who helped in forming pioneering humanitarian models with their crucial role and efforts in addressing the pandemic. They bore the greatest burden in facing the pandemic by saving the lives of citizens and residents across the country from COVID-19 repercussions.

Al Serkel said that setting up the PaCE COVID Hub was a step in the right direction as it provided a smart and integrated platform for responding to COVID-19 infected cases. It provides live and real-time data for COVID-19 cases received from hospitals, national ambulance, primary health care, operations centre, and preventive medicines in a bid to help in decision-making and effective bed management in hospitals, critical care departments and isolation centres. The data is used to reorganise the cases in accordance with their classification and direct them to hospitals according to the availability of beds and health service.

WAM