UAE private sector helps fight COVID-19

 Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

The private sector in the UAE is doing its part in easing up the gloom and dreariness arising from the pandemic Coronavirus 2019 (COVID19).

As of Tuesday afternoon, the rapid spreading disease has affected 198 persons in the country, four of whom have recovered and two passed away.

From the healthcare sector, a network of hospitals and allied sector/services in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has not only apportioned 25 per cent of its total bed capacity to non-COVID19 patients but also has scheduled its medical staff should there be a requirement from the health authorities.

From the business sector in Dubai and according to a press release, the multi-divisional conglomerate Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group alongside the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation (ESAGCF) have allocated Dhs13 million for healthcare needs and e-learning programme.

Email interviewed on Tuesday, Thumbay-Healthcare Division vice president Akbar Moideen said: “We are constantly supporting the government in these troubled times. We have readied 25 per cent of beds in our four hospitals in Ajman, Sharjah and Fujairah to take in non-Covid19 patients-as and when needed-as per the requirements of our health authorities namely the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.”

From the ESAG press release, managing director Dr. Raja Al Gurg said: “It is important that we come together as a community from individuals to corporations and government entities-to support one another, and to help those hardest hit by the impact of the pandemic.”

ESAG will contribute Dhs10 million for DHA medical supplies while ESAGCF will provide a further Dhs3 million to the Dubai Education Zone, an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Education in order to enhance more electronic learning and education.

Recently, the Al Zarooni Group through its board chairman Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni donated Dhs10 million for the adequate medical supplies in all health centers.

On the Thumbay initiative regarding the health workers, Moideen said: “We already provided a few required nurses and equipment to the local authorities. We also instructed a number of nurses and doctors to be on stand-by.”

As patients’ safety is the goal, all Thumbay facilities have enforced anti-COVID19 World Health Organization (WHO) protocols while “tele-consultations” have been set up between and among patients and doctors as patients are discouraged to visit the hospital “unless absolutely necessary.”