New chief executive for Abu Dhabi's Seha at a crucial time

Industry veteran Dr Tarek Fathey takes over as efforts continue to curb pandemic

Dr Tarek Fathey, the new chief executive of Seha. Courtesy Seha

Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has appointed healthcare industry veteran Dr Tarek Fathey as its new chief executive.

Dr Fathey, who is from Egypt, joins Seha from Mediclinic, where he served as the chief operating officer.

Seha, which owns and operates all public hospitals and clinics in the emirate, has been at the heart of the UAE's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It has overseen the rollout of testing centres and vaccination hubs to control and curb the outbreak

Dr Fathey originally trained as a paediatric general practitioner and worked in teaching hospitals and private practice in Egypt before joining Mediclinic in Dubai in 1998.

He holds a bachelor of medicine from the University of Alexandria, Egypt, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Wollongong, Australia.

Seha said Dr Fathey was a seasoned, award-winning healthcare leader who brings 25 years of extensive experience to the role.

“Seha is strongly recognised and highly respected as a leader in the UAE’s healthcare landscape, delivering on the national agenda of bringing best-in-class healthcare services to the local population," said Dr Fathey.

"I look forward to collectively contributing to the sector’s growth, keeping patients at the core of everything we do and setting industry benchmarks to provide the highest quality of care."

Salem Al Noaimi, chairman of Seha, said the appointment will further strengthen the network's position as the cornerstone of Abu Dhabi's healthcare system.

"He brings with him expertise that is essential for our commitment to patient-centricity and advancing world-class care," said Mr Al Noaimi. "His proven track record will undoubtedly be critical in furthering Seha’s growth ambitions and adding value to our clients and the wider UAE healthcare industry.”

He replaces Dr Gareth Goodier, who joined the company in 2018 and said he wanted to improve patient experience across the board.

Abu Dhabi's Covid-19 testing campaign - in pictures

Mass testing across the country is credited with saving lives and allowing the economy to reopen gradually. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

A mass testing campaign aims to screen all workers living in Abu Dhabi’s Mussaffah area

The testing is free of cost, said the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

Free transportation is provided to take workers from their accommodation to testing centres.

The initiative announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, said no legal action will be taken against those who are living in the emirate on expired visas.

“Testing campaign and sanitisation [are] to be conducted in gradual phases, and in coordination with targeted blocks,” said the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The main medical registration area at the Seha facility in Mussaffah.

Another queue sends visitors to a line where they are processed by handing over their Emirates ID card and phone number.

A staff member of the center directs a workers to the next area at the screening centre.

A high body temperature of 38°C could indicate signs of fever, a common coronavirus symptom.

Visitors must complete a brief questionnaire to help nurses understand the health status of those waiting in line.

On arrival in Mussaffah, workers walk through a sanitisation mist shower before entering the tented clinic.

Workers and residents queue in front of the sanitising gate before they can enter the main tent screening centre.