A senior doctor from Al Ain Hospital in Abu Dhabi commended the healthcare system in the UAE and the spirit of Emiratis in surviving any challenge. 

Dr. Zia Danesh Jummani, Head of Emergency Department at Al Ain Hospital, from the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA in an interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM), shared his recent experience in dealing with then COVID pandemic.

Dr. Jummani said while he had to spend extra hours on treating coronavirus patients, he could derive his energy from his early memories of UAE when he had joined the services.

He commended that community spirit, which was at the display when the COVID crisis broke out. He praised that patients were not abandoned but were accompanied by their family members or friends. Even in the case of patients from the expatriate community, it was heartening to see a colleague or friend accompanying them to the hospital.

The senior doctor from the UK, who is of Indian origin, was pleasantly surprised by the concern and care of young Emiratis towards elderly members of their family. He appreciated that elderly family members are not kept in old care centres, but continue to stay with their families.

Dr. Jummani praised the country's leadership, healthcare, and other government offices for their "can-do-attitude," which helped them tide over any difficult situation. 

Speaking on the COVID pandemic, the doctor said the community feeling, care for senior family members, and "can-do attitude" attitude was comforting during the most trying times for any medical professional.

The doctor, who has worked in the UK earlier, is hopeful and confident that these factors will help the country fight back the COVID pandemic.

Dr. Jummani feels the UAE has a robust medical care system with a human touch. That system and human connection keep the frontline medical workers motivated.

He highlighted that frontline workers have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and stringently follow safety protocols.

The senior doctor, who has earlier worked in India and UK, thanked all top officials for being accessible and approachable to the medical community's suggestions and act on them.

He also commended the efforts of all those in the medical and healthcare system who have been working continuously since March to deal with the unprecedented crisis.

The Emiratis and other residents have followed all instructions recommended by the government under the National Disinfection Programme.

The doctor praised the Emirati culture, which respects and cares for the elderly population. He feels it could the lifestyle followed by that that helped seniors to endure the health crisis.

WAM