HOW UAE HELPED THE WORLD FIGHT THE VIRUS
The UAE was one of the countries that stood up well to trials and tribulations wrought by the coronavirus. The good health infrastructure helped, and the country was at the forefront in the search for cures and vaccines.
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Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, receives the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine during Phase III trial in July 2020.
The UAE has a world class healthcare infrastructure. That was crucial in tackling the scourge of coronavirus. A proactive approach and swift decision-making ensured that the situation remained under control. When the cases surged, field hospitals were set up and additional medical personnel were brought into the country to help the patients. There was no crisis.
When much of the world was scrambling to find treatment protocols and vaccines, the UAE pitched in. Convalescent plasma and stem cells were used to save lives. And UAE residents signed up for vaccine trials too.
Researchers in the UAE provided an early breakthrough with stem cell therapy through inhalation. The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre found that extracting stem cells from the patients and reintroducing the activated stem cells helped in regenerating the cells in the lungs.
The Dubai Health Authority pursued the use of convalescent plasma, which was found to speed up recovery by around 90 per cent. At least three clinics collected the antibody-rich plasma from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients.
The full genome sequencing of the virus, carried out by researchers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, helped identify infection hot spots to target interventions. The sequencing also helped keep tabs on the genetic changes in the virus as it spread in the country.
The vaccines trials were a major milestone in the fight against the virus. Around 31,000 volunteers across 125 nationalities participated in the Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine tested by the Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm, according to the Ministry of Health. Another 500 people took part in the Phase III trials of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi said. The Sinopharm vaccine has now been authorised for emergency use.
When more vaccines were approved for emergency use, it required massive logistics support to ship them around the world. The Abu Dhabi Ports stepped up to ease the challenge by offering its enhanced logistic capabilities to accommodate mass storage and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Hope Consortium, an initiative to help distribute of the vaccines, will use a dedicated a temperature-controlled warehouse facility in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi.
Vaccines, medicines and therapy weren’t enough to curb the contagion. People are at the heart of any major effort. Residents and citizens responded well to government directives on safety protocols. Masks are ubiquitous and that help prevent a major outbreak. Instead, it helped bring a semblance of normality. Big gatherings and major celebrations are prohibited to avoid super-spreading. Restriction are employed prudently, and that has allowed the return of tourists. The malls are bustling, parks are open, and the public transport is running. Life in the UAE is close to normal.