Abu Dhabi teams up with Pfizer to train health workers

Under landmark agreement the Department of Health Abu Dhabi hopes to have 500 qualified clinical researchers by 2025

Pfizer developed a Covid-19 vaccine with BioNtech. Now Abu Dhabi and Pfizer are working together to boost expertise in clinical trials. AFP

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health has teamed up with Pfizer to bolster expertise in clinical trials and medical processes.

The biopharmaceutical company, which jointly developed a Covid-19 vaccine, will train up to 150 clinical researchers as part of the agreement, it was announced on Thursday.

Under the agreement, Pfizer will support the department in establishing a training curriculum in advancing the early phases of clinical trials and drug development.

This will help to develop clinical trials to conduct and enhance research efforts and medical processes in the emirate.

Participants will also receive training in technologies and artificial intelligence tools that accelerate the drug discovery process.

The DoH aims to have 500 qualified clinical researchers by 2025 through various collaborations and initiatives.

The deal was signed by Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary of the Department of Health, and Lindsey Dietschi of Pfizer. Photo: Wam

“We are excited for our collaboration with Pfizer, which focuses on conducting safe and efficient early-stage clinical trials based on international guidelines and global best practices,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary of the department.

The UAE has one of the world’s most successful Covid-19 vaccination drives, with 100 per cent of eligible people having received their first dose.

As of November, more than 90 per cent had received both doses.

Since the pandemic started, the Emirates was swift in making vaccines available to the public, as well as partaking in vaccine trials.

Last month, the DoH announced the procurement of the AZD7442 drug made by AstraZeneca, a new antibody drug to fight infections in high-risk patients.

“DoH is committed to positioning Abu Dhabi as an incubator for innovation in the field of life sciences and as a leading healthcare destination in the world,” Dr Al Kaabi said.

“We do this by providing a legislative environment that attracts and motivates research and innovation in health care, enhancing the means of co-operation that join Abu Dhabi with global partners, and continuing to roll out promising clinical trials and research projects.”

Pfizer's Lindsey Dietschi said Abu Dhabi has established a robust and sustainable healthcare system that fosters innovation in research and development.

“We believe in the vision of Abu Dhabi that aims to deliver more medical breakthroughs and ensure healthier communities,” she said.

On patrol with Abu Dhabi's coronavirus testing teams - in pictures

A team of medics, volunteers and police officers in central Abu Dhabi during a nighttime testing drive. Farha Sameer Baker, right, is head of operations at Tamouh Health Care. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi's government has run door-to-door testing since May 2020. The intention is to identify and isolate cases and drive down community transmissions.

Maram Herzallah conducts a test on a resident in the corridor outside her home.

About 15,000 people a day are tested by the team across Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain.

Medics work with the police given that they often have to close streets for periods of time.

Nurse Maram Herzallah has her PPE gear checked by a colleague before starting her shift for the night.

Screening staff are volunteers but most work in the emergency services or in hospitals by day.

Staff must work diligently to process thousands of samples. People receive their results on the government's Al Hosn tracing app.

Police work with medics to perform door-to-door testing on an Abu Dhabi street.

The crew is 100 per cent mobile and carries all the equipment they need to test thousands of people each night.

The nature of their work means changing their PPE gear frequently.

Medics sort through Emirates IDs, which are needed to store data and deliver results.

A group of residents are tested inside one of the crew's screening vans. Volunteers avoid going into people's homes as a precaution.

Staff at a dry cleaners receive a nasal swab test.

A police officer stores samples in a cool box until they can be processed.

A shop worker is tested by a medic.

The volunteers cover several areas of the city each week.

Volunteers says they are proud to play their part in tackling the pandemic and driving down cases.