The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has concluded the preparations for Expo 2020 to ensure the provision of advanced, state-of-the-art medical facilities for participants and visitors, including emergency care, on-site healthcare centres and laboratory screening for COVID-19.

DHA Director General Awadh Al Ketbi hailed the UAE for setting an example for the world in handling various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic such as prevention, patient treatment and boosting recovery of key sectors and economy. This success demonstrates the UAE's exceptional capabilities in managing crises and overcoming challenges along with the robust capacity of its advanced healthcare sector and efficiency in tackling emergency situations.

"The Authority has mobilised its human capital, harnessed its capabilities, equipment and technology to provide a highly advanced care system, high quality services and a safe environment for all Expo participants and visitors," he said.

The DHA is ensuring the provision of necessary medical care at not only the venue of the Expo 2020 Dubai, but also to a large group of public and private hospitals and specialised medical centres.

Al Ketbi explained that the preparations ensured by the DHA for the Expo 2020 are aimed at maintaining the safety and wellbeing of all participants and visitors and providing them access to medical care across specializations during the event. He underlined that the Authority has collaborated and partnered with various key stakeholders to carry out the tasks, especially the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services which provides one of the world's fastest ambulance responses. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and machinery along with highly skilled paramedical professionals to provide relevant care during the global event.

The Director General of DHA also talked about one of the main partnerships with the private health sector to provide health and safety to all participants and visitors to the event.

"Expo 2020 Dubai represents an important opportunity for the Authority to advance its path towards health sustainability in line with the goals of Expo, which aims to create a new starting point for the world's transformation towards a sustainable society." he added.

The event will have a wide network of on-site medical service stations to provide round-the-clock emergency medical care as well as an on-site COVID-19 screening centre to provide PCR testing services to visitors including rapid PCR testing facilities.

In conclusion, he stated that the Dubai Health Authority has been a part of the Expo 2020 journey from the beginning. During the initial construction phase, DHA set up a medical clinic and ensured the provision of continuous medical services for all workers of the event. 

WAM