Sultan and Hamdan Al Hammadi, 19, devote up to six hours a day volunteering at an Abu Dhabi vaccination centre. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Sultan and Hamdan Al Hammadi, 19, devote up to six hours a day volunteering at an Abu Dhabi vaccination centre. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Sultan and Hamdan Al Hammadi, 19, devote up to six hours a day volunteering at an Abu Dhabi vaccination centre. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Sultan and Hamdan Al Hammadi, 19, devote up to six hours a day volunteering at an Abu Dhabi vaccination centre. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Emirati twin volunteers 'privileged' to support UAE's vaccination drive


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Emirati twin brothers have told of a shared goal to help their country win the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sultan and Hamdan Al Hammadi, 19, juggle their studies at Zayed University with volunteer work at a vaccination centre in Abu Dhabi.

They spend up to six hours a day ensuring hundreds of people are immunised, helping the UAE reach its target of inoculating half of its population by the end of next month.

Sultan deems it an honour to lend his support at such a challenging time.

"I am doing this for my country. I want to give back to my country who has given me everything. This is actually a privilege," said Sultan, who also has seven other siblings.

UAE forges ahead with immunisation campaign:

  • Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
    Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
  • Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
    Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
  • A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
    A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
  • Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
    Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
  • Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
    Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
  • People in the waiting room.
    People in the waiting room.
  • An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
    An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
  • A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
    A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
  • Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
    Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
  • The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
    The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
  • (L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.
    (L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.

The brothers study Information Security at Zayed University.

They have been volunteering at the Seha Vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal for three weeks, fitting in volunteer shifts after they end their university classes at about 2pm.

Sultan helps with day-to-day operations while Hamdan assists with registration.

They help about 400 people navigate the vaccination process each day, from labourers to the elderly.

Hamdan said his work at the vaccination centre was a valuable learning experience for him and still left him plenty of time for his academic studies.

“There is a lot of time. I have time after 8pm to catch up on my school work," he said.

“This experience has taught me the magnitude of Covid. It is more serious than many of us know.”

He said dealing with blue collar workers from different nationalities was initially a challenge because of the language barrier.

“I have picked up a few words of their language and do ask for the assistance of an interpreter but I like dealing with people and helping them," he said.

"There is nothing better than hearing the words 'thank you' at the end of the day. This is the drive that keeps us going.”

The brothers strictly follow precautionary measures in order to stay safe while they are in close proximity with hundreds of people each day.

"We do keep safe and as soon as we go home and before getting into contact with anyone we sanitise ourselves," said Hamdan.

The brothers called on other members of the community to volunteer as the national inoculation campaign intensifies.

"The UAE and the world needs our help to fight this pandemic. Our community needs us to be safe,” Sultan said.

The UAE has administered more than 5 million doses of vaccine in the past two months and ranked second only to Israel in global immunisation rates.

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

UAE Premiership

Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai

Company%20profile
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Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

Have you been targeted?

Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:

1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.

2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.

3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.

4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.

5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm

Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds

Top speed 420 kph (governed)

Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

Jawan
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%C2%A0profile
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Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

MO
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