Abu Dhabi is continuing to top the list of the world’s leading cities in Covid-19 response, according to a London-based analytics consortium, Deep Knowledge Group (DKG). The Deep Knowledge Group released the report, "Ranking of the Safest Cities during the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Second Quarter of 2021", based on 114 parameters on many key aspects of the COVID-19 response.

The ranking was done focusing on five main categories, including government efficiency, economic resilience, the efficiency of the quarantine system, healthcare management and vaccination rates. 72 cities and municipalities around the world were included in ranking, where 50 cities with the highest ranks were selected and analysed to identify the best practices.

The first version of the report was published in April 2021 that ranked Abu Dhabi as the safest city in the world during the Covid-19 pandemic. This achievement is result of leadership guidance and continuous support, that is continuing to follow vision of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The achievement was possible through the efforts of senior management and staff in various institutions, matched up with the dedication of healthcare professionals. 

Abu Dhabi adopted the measures that helped in enhancing the speed and effectiveness of its pandemic response. As a result, the protection of community’s health and safety was ensured, while maintaining an open economy. Abu Dhabi also upheld its position as a pioneer in scientific research, digital initiatives and technology, and a leading medical tourism destination.

DKG assessed the cities on: healthcare management (efficient infrastructure, human competencies and efficient medical personnel, advanced tools, effectiveness of diagnostic systems, number of beds in healthcare facilities and spending on the healthcare sector); efficient health quarantine systems (home quarantine scope and duration, economic support to quarantined people, travel guidelines and restrictions, legal action against home quarantine violators); vaccination rates (availability of the vaccine, vaccination rates per capita and home-vaccination services); government efficiency (monitoring systems, crisis management, trust in government and digital services); and resilience of the economy (incentive packages, exemptions, social support and credit rating).

In ranking Abu Dhabi was followed by Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Abu Dhabi’s pro-active response to the pandemic ensured that the Emirate recorded a low rate of positive cases and one of the lowest mortality rates per capita in the world. Within weeks of outbreak, field hospitals, mass testing centres and screening facilities, including drive-thrus, were established. New initiatives kept on priority the vulnerable groups, including providing free testing and health checks, distributing millions of free meals, health awareness programmes in multiple languages and mental health support.

The Emirate has been a leader in fields of research and development, facilitated scientific discoveries to handle the virus and collaborated in global efforts to develop a vaccine, including participating in the world’s first Phase III trials of an inactivated viral vaccine.

Abu Dhabi has played a significant role in the UAE’s vaccination campaign. This ensured that over 88 percent of the UAE’s population has already received a free Covid-19 vaccine.

Abu Dhabi continues to work to maintain the effectiveness of its strategies to tackle the pandemic and share experience globally to help in eliminating the virus in various parts of the world.

WAM