Category: Health

Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President, Head of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa paid an inspection visit, today, to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and a number of quarantine and treatment centres, amid a surge in the active cases over the past days.

He paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for their support to the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, .

He praised the efforts of medical frontliners and health professionals, hailing their dedication in serving the nation, sacrifices and keenness on delivering world-standard services.

Lt-Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa visted the SMC emergency ward, the SEHATI building and other facilities and was reassured about the delivery of services. He was also updated about the treatment of patients, especially active cases.

He also visited the International Hospital of Bahrain and A’ali Comprehensive centre, in the presence of members of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, and directed to harness all capabilities to deal with the current health situation.

He called upon the public to commit fully to the health protocols and mandatory precautionary measures recommended by the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Ministry of Health of Health has shut down five restaurants for one week for violating the mandatory precautionary measures for combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Public Health Directorate also took measures aagainst 53 others which were found in breach of the health protocols and mandatory precautionary measures.

The Ministry of Health conducted 190 inpection visits to restaurants and cafes yesterday, Friday, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

The restaurants which were found in breach of the mandatory measures allowed entry to people under 18 and non-vaccinated customers while other customers in cafes had no vaccination certificates on the Health Alert application.

Owners of other outlets addressed the violations immediately after inspectors warned them, said the ministry in a statement today.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Emirates Red Crescent has launched the first phase of a vaccination programme for tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons in Jordan and Iraq as part of the medical assistance provided by the UAE’s primary humanitarian arm to help the two nations confront the COVID-19 pandemic and to speed up the recovery drive.

This is in implementation of the directives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the Honorary Chairwoman of the ERC, under the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, (Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent).

The medical assistance -provided in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and in coordination with the health ministries in Iraq and Jordan as well as the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency- will benefit 12,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan and 15,000 Iraqi displaced people and Syrian refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan. In the meantime, the ERC is forging ahead with providing essential humanitarian supplies to the refugees and displaced in both countries.

Two ERC delegations will leave the UAE over the coming few days for Iraq and Jordan to oversee the implementation of the UAE health initiatives there and meet the immediate needs of refugees and displaced there.

ERC Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, highlighted the directives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, to drive the efforts made by the UAE to stem the spread of coronavirus as part of the country’s contributions to the global battle against the pandemic. He also highlighted the role of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan and his significant support for the refugees and displaced persons living inside and outside camps.

Al Falahi added that the ERC will start with vaccinating severe cases, including the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases, noting that the COVID-19 vaccines will help fight the new emerging strains of the virus.

Dr Gamal Mohamed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi, said the medical initiative reflects the role played by the UAE to confront the pandemic and stand by the sisterly and friendly nations. He hailed the ongoing collaboration with various local health departments in Iraq and Jordan.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Health Ministry’s Undersecretary, Dr. Waleed Al-Manae, has extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Bahraini people on Eid Al-Fitr, wishing Bahrain, as well as the Arab and Islamic nations many happy returns of the occasion.

Dr. Al-Manae stressed the need to continue adhering to all precautionary measures and guidelines during Eid Al-Fitr, particularly social distancing and avoidance of gatherings, affirming the continuity of the national efforts to confront the novel coronavirus pandemic in order to protect the safety and health of all the citizens and residents.

He urged full compliance with the recommended precautionary measures, especially social distancing, noting that the recent period witnessed a spike in the number of active cases, mainly due to home gatherings, social events and non-compliance with health guidelines that prevent the spread of the infection.

He urged everyone to step up their adherence to precautionary measures through avoiding social gatherings and replacing them by virtual ones in order to reduce the number of active cases.

The undersecretary paid tribute to all members of Team Bahrain for their tireless efforts to counter the pandemic, calling on everyone to exchange Eid Al-Fitr congratulations and good wishes through social media networks instead of gatherings, as well as to activate electronic payments.

He affirmed that the continued success of the kingdom’s efforts to confront the pandemic requires full compliance with the recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus, through wearing face masks and social distancing, calling for registering for vaccines in order to protect the safety of everyone and ensure that life returns to normalcy as soon as possible.

He asserted that the kingdom has achieved a success story in mitigating the effects of the pandemic, noting that Bahrain has showcased its distinguished ability to overcome all challenges thanks to the widely-appreciated efforts and plans of the government, led by HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Dr. Al-Manae prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless Bahrain with ever-lasting progress and health, under the leadership of HM the King and support of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Emirates has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India to transport urgent medical and relief items, to support India in its fight to control the serious COVID-19 situation in the country.

Emirates will offer cargo capacity free of charge on an “as available” basis on all of its flights to nine cities in India, to help international NGOs deliver relief supplies rapidly to where it is needed.

In the past weeks, Emirates SkyCargo has already been transporting medicines and medical equipment on scheduled and charter cargo flights to India. This latest airbridge initiative takes Emirates’ support for India and for the NGO community to the next level.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “India and Emirates are deeply connected, since our first flights to India in 1985. We stand with the Indian people and will do all we can to help India get back on its feet. Emirates has a lot of experience in humanitarian relief efforts, and with 95 weekly flights to 9 destinations in India, we will be offering regular and reliable wide-body capacity for relief materials. The International Humanitarian City in Dubai is the largest crisis relief hub in the world and we will work closely with them to facilitate the movement of urgent medical supplies.”

The first shipment sent as part of the Emirates India humanitarian airbridge is a consignment of over 12 tons of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organization (WHO), destined for Delhi, and coordinated by the IHC in Dubai.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO of International Humanitarian City, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid built the International Humanitarian City (IHC), so Dubai, in coordination with humanitarian agencies, would be able to assist communities and families, most in need – around the world. The creation of the humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India, facilitated by Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai’s International Humanitarian City and UN agencies, to transport urgent medical and relief items, is another example of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision for the IHC, being brought to life. Last year over 1,292 shipments were dispatched from the IHC in Dubai, setting the standard for humanitarian response globally. We appreciate the great efforts by IHC’s partner Emirates SkyCargo establishing this humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India in this time of need”.

The freight division of Emirates has a close partnership with IHC, developed over several years of delivering relief materials to communities across the world impacted by natural disasters and other crises. IHC will support Emirates SkyCargo in channelling relief efforts to India through the airbridge.

Following the Port of Beirut blasts in August 2020, Emirates also leveraged its expertise in humanitarian logistics to set up an airbridge to Lebanon to assist with relief efforts.

Emirates has led the aviation and air cargo industry in its efforts to help markets around the world combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The air cargo carrier has helped transport thousands of tonnes of urgently required PPE and other medical supplies across six continents over the last year by rapidly adapting its business model and introducing additional cargo capacity through its modified mini freighters with seats removed from Economy Class on Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft along with loading cargo on seats and in overhead bins inside passenger aircraft to transport urgently required materials.

In addition, Emirates SkyCargo has partnered with UNICEF and other entities in Dubai through the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance, to transport COVID-19 vaccines rapidly to developing nations through Dubai. So far, close to 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been transported on Emirates’ flights, equating to nearly 1 in 20 of all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered around the world.

Through its scheduled cargo flights to close to 140 destinations across six continents, Emirates helps maintain unbroken supply chains for vital commodities such as medical supplies and food.

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs