A thermal scanner checks people coming in for Covid-19 screening at a testing centre in the UAE. Technology is proving decisive in the battle against coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National
A thermal scanner checks people coming in for Covid-19 screening at a testing centre in the UAE. Technology is proving decisive in the battle against coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National
A thermal scanner checks people coming in for Covid-19 screening at a testing centre in the UAE. Technology is proving decisive in the battle against coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National
For over a year, Seha has been undergoing a transformation that will shape a modern, progressive healthcare network fit for the next 50 years, delivering healthcare excellence to the UAE community. Through this period, our teams have adopted an agile mindset, learning new ways of working and infusing innovation through their services, while keeping patient-centricity paramount.
This served us extremely well as Seha was once again entrusted to serve the nation at the onset of Covid-19. As the UAE's largest healthcare network, we were able to mobilise teams with scale and at record speed across the country to deliver outstanding care to patients. Our frontline heroes led the charge, supported by the wider Seha family, demonstrating resilience and a high sense of duty, navigating an ever-evolving situation. Our rich legacy in the UAE, backed by the vision of our leaders, held us in good stead during this time.
As the world slowed down, it was evident that healthcare services will be instrumental in bringing lives back to normal and directly support the engines of our economy. Our mission was not just about stopping the spread of this virus, but about ensuring the health of the nation so that we could collectively emerge stronger.
Etihad offers free Covid-19 tests to travellers flying from Abu Dhabi. The National
Our resilience was on display as we established 20-plus drive-through screening facilities, one of the first countries in the world to introduce this service. Seha's frontline workers along with its partners conducted 6.2 million of the over 20.5 million tests completed in the UAE since the beginning of the year.
We recognised the need to be prepared and to manage the load across our hospitals and limit in-person visitation. In the process, we opened three field hospitals and introduced the telemedicine virtual outpatient clinics, medication delivery services and child vaccination drive-through services for safe and seamless continuation of care.
The ability to deliver extraordinary care at such a critical time for our nation has come on the back of over a decade of service guided by Seha's vision to put the population we serve first, while adopting new trends and investing in innovations that will transform healthcare services. Seha remains prepared for the next set of inevitable challenges, while maintaining quality as a top priority. During the pandemic, our valuable workforce demonstrated continuous commitment to providing optimal patient care through continuous quality improvement despite stretched resources at times. Our frontline heroes rose to the challenge in this unprecedented era.
As home to diverse global communities, the UAE has placed a high importance on ensuring a strong healthcare ecosystem. The nation's health budget has grown by over 26 per cent between 2016 and 2020, which is indicative of the high priority placed on the quality of services available to citizens and residents. So, while much of the world's economy continues to be under pressure, the UAE has been able to open major business sectors including hospitality, tourism, real estate and more.
A healthcare worker uses a two-way radio to coordinates with his co-workers at the other halls of the center at the new Covid-19 Prime Assessment Center at ADNEC. Victor Besa / The National
The year 2021 will see us accelerate our transformation journey. As we continue to evolve the country’s healthcare sector, we also need to build capacity and enhance capabilities. While the UAE has consistently attracted the best of healthcare talent, it is important that we continue to nurture and grow the Emirati professionals within the industry and invest in the next generation to lead the future of healthcare in the country.
A major part of the sector's future is embedded in advances in healthcare techniques and technologies, and we need to keep up with changing expectations and new possibilities. Technology has also fast-tracked the use of telemedicine facilities, with the Harvard Business Reviewreporting a staggering 2,000 per cent increase in use in the US between January and June 2020 because of Covid-19. While many of us are already able to source our vitals on our smartphones and watches, soon artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and blockchain technology will shape the new normal for our industry.
The UAE’s response to Covid-19 has been an example to the world – showcasing the importance of healthcare investment, policy decisions and having high-calibre professionals. None of this would have been possible without collective efforts, whether through partnership with government, collaboration and innovation across teams or the support of the community. The solidarity witnessed has been underpinned by initiatives and committees launched in co-operation with multiple ministries including health, education and economy, to ensure that impact on day-to-day life is minimised.
A nurse in a general ward of a field hospital in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on May 13. Antonie Robertson / The National
The dynamic nature of the current situation has required us all to rise to new challenges, and I am humbled by the response of our Seha teams and our partners. Their devotion to combat the virus has been an inspiration, and it is a remarkable effort in support of the community during this pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must remain as a unified front and treat one another with kindness and respect so that we can care for many as possible in the time ahead.
As we enter the 50th year of the UAE’s formation, we can look back with pride at what the nation has achieved in this period – and in 2020 in particular. The strength demonstrated and resurgence around us are testaments to the UAE’s commitment to unlocking only the best outcomes for patients who seek care in the country.
At Seha, we will continue to champion world-class services and remain the backbone of health care in the country.
Dr Gareth Goodier is the group chief executive of Seha
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
