Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: Health authorities on front line of defence against Covid-19

Vice President and Ruler of Dubai praises hospital staff for protecting the public

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the 10 million meals initiative to provide food to the less fortunate. Courtesy - Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid praised health authorities and medical staff for protecting the public against the coronavirus and invited the rest of the country to join him in doing the same.

In a phone call to Rashid Hospital on Monday, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai told Dr Sara Kazim, head of the emergency department, he was proud of medical teams' response to the pandemic.

"We are proud of you and proud of all our doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare professionals," he said.

"You are on the front line of our nation’s defence against the epidemic, and you are fulfilling a great and noble mission, but it isn’t done yet."

Sheikh Mohammed told Dr Kazim that medical teams had the government’s unwavering support in the country’s fight against the disease, saying the UAE's leadership was ready to provide everything needed to ensure public safety, reported state news agency Wam.

Dr Kazim submitted a report to Sheikh Mohammed, detailing the 24-hour emergency centre’s operations to carry out the measures announced by the government to protect the public. She told him the UAE’s health sector was fully equipped and ready to address any emergencies.

Dr Kazim said teams at the emergency centre were prepared to provide all medical services and were well stocked with supplies, should demand increase. She said hospitals have increased their capacities, providing more beds, critical care facilities and prepared medical staff to tackle and contain any emerging situations.

The DHA’s Emergency Centre receives coronavirus patients from all over the country, placing them in quarantine and providing necessary medical care. It also conducts tests and monitors suspected cases, in addition to testing people in contact with diagnosed patients and placing them under medical supervision. The centre also monitors the quarantine process, placing patients in specialised centres.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed tweeted a video of medical staff working tirelessly in hospitals to help patients.

In it, he thanked health workers for being the country's "first line of defence" and invited the rest of the country to do the same.

"Thank you for your sacrifices and for staying up for the sake of our homeland. You are the protectors of the homeland today and its loyal fence and soldiers," he said.

"I invite everyone to thank them, to praise and appreciate them for their continuous efforts day and night.

"Doctors, nurses, paramedics and administrators in our medical sector in the country ... Thank you."

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was among the first to answer the call.

"My sincerest thanks and appreciation to the medical staff, from the youngest employee to the oldest, who stood in the first line of defence and in the front rows," he said.

"We are indebted to them and will never forget their work."