Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi to call on private-sector hospital staff to boost numbers

Doctors and nurses could be sent to any healthcare centre in the fight against Covid-19

Medical staff screen workers before those with Covid-19 symptoms are taken aside to be tested for the virus. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men wait in line to have their temperature taken at one of two testing centres set up in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men wait in line to be checked by medical workers at a free Covid-19 testing centre in Mussaffah. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men gather outside a temporary medical facility in Mussaffah, where workers can be tested for Covid-19 for free. Antonie Roberston / The National

A man, who has symptoms of Covid-19, registers for his test. Antonie Roberston / The National

A man has his nose swabbed inside a testing facility in Mussaffah. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men are given water and food as they wait to have their temperatures taken at a testing facility in Mussaffah. Antonie Roberston / The National

A man waits to have his nose swabbed to test for Covid-19 at a temporary centre in Mussaffah. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men wait in line to have their temperature taken at one of two testing centres set up in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men have their temperatures taken at a testing centre in Mussaffah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Men wait in line to have their temperature taken at one of two testing centres set up in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men wait in line to have their temperature taken at one of two testing centres set up in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi. Antonie Roberston / The National

Men have their temperatures taken at a testing centre in Mussaffah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Doctors and nurses from private hospitals across Abu Dhabi could be drafted in to treat patients during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Department of Health said a provisional plan would free medics to be sent where they were needed most.

A joint database will allow the government to check the number of free beds and medical staff available in the emirate on any given day.

It would also help to track patients housed in hotels and determine how many places were available. Hotels across the country have been used as quarantine centres, allowing patients with mild symptoms, along with repatriated residents, to recover in isolation.

Matar Al Nuaimi, director of emergency and disaster management, said: “We continue to work alongside healthcare facilities in the emirate to take the reins to fight against Covid-19.”

Major private-sector providers said they were preparing staff to support the effort.

Dr Madhu Sasidhar, chief medical officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s critical care institute, said it was ready to “join forces and resources to address emergency situations”.

“The new features enable us to continually assess gaps, support each other and share best practices to provide the best care for patients and the community,” he said.

The positive response was echoed by Dr Nabil Debouni, medical director for VPS Healthcare.

“It is a very good initiative in which the department of health created a live platform for healthcare providers,” he said.

Each company has been given a username and password.

“Health facilities will enter their data twice a day. The beauty of it is that at any moment, health providers can check bed status across all Abu Dhabi hospitals,” Dr Debouni said.

Since the start of the UAE outbreak in early February, the authorities have enlisted private healthcare groups such as NMC, Aster, VPS and Medeor to test residents and treat patients across the country.

This includes the testing of about 200,000 labourers in the Northern Emirates and the running of testing tents in the locked down souq district of Dubai.

The new move to share staff in Abu Dhabi would be an extension of that team-working.

Dubai Police’s mounted unit enforces stay-at-home order – in pictures

Dubai Police mounted officers saddle their horses as they prepare to patrol the streets from 6pm to 6am. Reem Mohammed / The National

All are former racehorses who went through a three-month-training programme before joining the police force. The department has two stables – one in Al Aweer, that houses at least 100 horses, and the other in Al Qusais, that houses 30 horses. Reem Mohammed / The National

The horses are loaded onto a trailer as night falls. Reem Mohammed / The National

The unit of mounted offices line-up for a briefing before saddling up. Reem Mohammed / The National

The National joined the unit on the streets of Al Aweer, one of the city's older suburbs. Reem Mohammed / The National

The horses have no traffic to contend with - and the streets are deserted due to the curfew. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers, in Al Aweer, prepare to load the horses into the trailer, as they prepare to patrol residential and commercial areas to insure residents are staying safe indoors during COVID-19 lockdown. Reem Mohammed / The National

The patrol ensures police visibility and that residents do not breach the stay-home order. Reem Mohammed / The National

Police horses are typically French or from other countries in Europe, which are much larger than Arabian mounts. Reem Mohammed / The National

The unit is typically seen in the old town, away from the highways and downtown areas. Reem Mohammed / The National

An officer fastens the reins of his steed. Reem Mohammed / The National

Horses allow police high visibility and play an important role in keeping the streets clear during the crisis. Reem Mohammed / The National