UAE to train one million medics worldwide under new remote programme

About 140 experts will deliver specialised medical and ambulatory training, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

The UAE will provide medical training to healthcare workers worldwide under a new remote programme. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE will help train a million trainee medics under a new initiative announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Wednesday.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said the remote programme, named Waterfalls, would provide specialised medical and ambulatory training to healthcare workers around the world.

He said the programme was organised in co-operation with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who will supervise its implementation.

About 140 experts will deliver the training in partnership with 67 academic institutions around the world, Sheikh Mohammed said.

The virtual training will cover 14 medical sectors, reported state news agency Wam.

"This [initiative] is part of the UAE's responsibility to the world to support the global medical sector," Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

Sheikh Saif described the programme as a gift from the UAE to the world's healthcare workers, saying international co-operation was the best way to counter the pandemic.

"Medical cadres have proven that they are a national wealth in their countries, and we must protect them and reinforce their capacities to fight the coronavirus," he said.

Waterfalls Initiative for Continuous Education from UAE to the world is a global project that aims to deliver continuous education for about 1 million doctors, physicians, pharmacists, technicians, and specialists in the hospital management sector and the humanitarian field.

This project, developed by the UAE Ministry of Possibilities and Index Holding, in co-operation with Aqdar World Summit, will provide specialised webinars to registered trainees.

Those who take part will obtain a training certificate and approved hours from the international scientific and academic bodies involved in the initiative.

Register for the programme here: waterfalls.ae

The announcement came a day after Sheikh Mohammed inaugurated the UAE's first independent biomedical research centre in Dubai.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Medical Research Institute was built with an initial investment of Dh300 million and will study communicable diseases in the country, in addition to Covid-19 and other viral illnesses.

"Medical research is an integral part of prevention and medical security in the UAE. Supporting research helps ensure sustainable economic, social and human development," said Sheikh Mohammed, who toured the centre, which is part of Al Jalila Foundation, on Tuesday.

He said the medical research would be made available to all such facilities.

"The new centre is an important addition to the global network of research institutions. It is part of the UAE’s contribution to biomedical research in the world and its research findings will be shared with other centres," he said.