In a major boost to the ongoing efforts to combat Coronavirus in the UAE, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) has announced that it has begun conduction COVID-19 vaccination drives across Dubai through mobile clinics. The MBRU has launched the drive in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) as part of the Wellness on Wheels (WoW) initiative to protect all members of the community from the virus. The initiative has been started to vaccinate 100 percent of all eligible adults by the end of the year against COVID-19.

Two 'WoW' mobile clinics with 11 nurses and doctors from DHA as well as staff members from MBRU have been providing DHA-approved COVID-19 vaccine doses to people across at least 11 vaccination points.

Various locations where the vaccination drive has been conducted so far include Al Garhoud Private Hospital; DP World; American Hospital Dubai; Oilfields Supply Center Ltd.; SRG Holding Sheraton Grand; McDermott Middle East and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). With the aim of covering maximum locations to ensure the widest reach, WoW mobile clinics have administered the COVID-19 vaccine to a total of 7,688 people in less than a month.

With this first-of-its-kind initiative, MBRU’s WoW is aiming to boost the efforts of the University to benefit the community and its pledge of serving humanity by providing the best healthcare services. With the help of volunteer healthcare specialists, the mobile clinics are seeking to expand access to quality healthcare services and provide necessary medical assistance to blue-collar workers, orphans, and other unprivileged sections of the UAE community.

Speaking over the development, Dr. Amer Mohammed Al Zarooni, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration and Professional Services at MBRU, Supply Chain Team Leader at Dubai COVID-19 Command and Control Center, and Director of the Wellness on Wheels Program at MBRU affirmed that it is MBRU’s duty to provide its expertise and resources for the welfare and betterment of the public during the difficult circumstances. He noted that the mobile clinics will play a crucial role in enhancing the reach of the vaccination drive and safeguarding all sections of the community on time.

"For all of us at MBRU, advancing healthcare in the UAE through constant innovation and integrated solutions is among our top priorities. The Wellness on Wheels mobile clinics are fully capable of administering the COVID-19 vaccine as per DHA standards," he said.

Dr. Al Zarooni added that the Wellness on Wheels initiative is the first charitable mobile healthcare clinic funded by the community. In this regard, he extended gratitude toward all entities that supported the initiative through their generous donations. He also thanked the Emirates Islamic Bank, Abdulghaffar Hussain, Chairman of Green Coast Enterprises, Abdulsalam AlRafi family, and NAFFCO for providing their support to the initiative.

Furthermore, Dr. Farida Al Khaja, CEO of Clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector at the DHA and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Steering Committee, expressed DHA's gratitude towards MBRU for supporting the vaccination drive and other leading healthcare initiatives and researches across the UAE that the two entities have undertaken together. She noted that the mobile clinics will help in enhancing the capacity of the vaccination drive and provide added convenience to all community members.

"These projects are implemented with a common vision to advance healthcare and utilize the latest technologies to improve both healthcare management and delivery in Dubai. The health and safety of our community members is our highest priority as we aim to vaccinate 100% of all eligible adults by the end of the year," Dr. Al Khaja added.

Dr. Al Khaja went on to urge all community members to continue their adherence with all precautionary measures even after receiving both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Since its launch, the WoW initiative has been providing a wide array of free services through its mobile clinics such as medical consultation and services, occupational health services, dental services, and referral services. Each mobile clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment which is enhanced by volunteer healthcare professionals. The initiative is aimed at carrying out more than 300 outreach events by 2025 and provide quality healthcare services to more than 100,000 beneficiaries across Dubai and the UAE.

WAM