UAE is continuing its streak of extending commitment and support internationally to nations struggling to curb the Coronavirus infection spread and to minimize the impact of pandemic crisis. The most acknowledging and shining example of UAE’s humanitarian work to combat impact of current pandemic is the Pakistani-Emirati Military Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The hospital had provided medical treatment to over 10,000 coronavirus patients in past few months.

The Pakistani-Emirati Military Hospital which is worth US$108 million was built as per the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The hospital is one of the key humanitarian projects carried out in Pakistan by UAE, said Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafi, Director of the UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAEPAP).

He said, “The UAE leadership has shown keen interest in supporting several humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan in many developmental and humanitarian areas.” He further said that the hospital’s success in assisting Pakistan’s government and army to tackle the Covid-19 spread is attributed to UAE’s wise leadership and solidarity towards people of Pakistan.

Major General Professor Salman Saleem, Director of the Pakistan-Emirati Military Hospital said that the 2013 built hospital is one of the largest and most important Pakistan’s military health projects. The facility also offers internship and residency training to health professionals.

Prof. Saleem said that hospital was transferred to a centre due to pandemic to manage and treat Covid-19 patients in Pakistan. He elaborated, “In late February, we developed a strategy to deal with the pandemic and started taking all necessary precautions, including isolating and treating the patients in a specially-created unit.”

He lauded the UAE leadership for its continuous humanitarian and developmental projects in Pakistan and for building a well-equipped hospital in Rawalpindi.

Hospital’s exemplary facilities and equipment have been helpful to provide treatment to thousands of coronavirus patients, said Brigadier Dr. Shazia Nisar, Head of Pathology and Epidemiology Department.

Last three months, UAE has sent three shipments to Pakistan with 18.3 tonnes of medical aid. Apart from this 20,000 coronavirus testing kits have also been provided. This has helped over 18,300 healthcare workers in Pakistan.

The Rawalpindi-based military hospital is 1,400 bedded and can cater around 6000-9000 patients in a day or 3 million in a year. There are wards for outpatient clinics, emergency unit, specialist clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, blood bank and a radiology section. There are around 350 doctors, 800 nursing staff and 1500 administrative and technical staff working in the hospital.

Hospital is co-founded by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. 

WAM