Rafed, a healthcare group purchasing organisation, has signed a new agreement with G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Group 42, to provide state-of-the-art medical services, including the provision of storage facilities of COVID-19 vaccines. Rafed is a part of ADQ, one of Abu Dhabi's largest holding companies.

As part of the agreement, Rafed will manage the logistics related to COVID-19 vaccines, including transportation, handling, and storage of vaccines in the new designated facilities. These efforts will be taken in line with the standards and requirements of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health.

A dedicated pharmaceutical facility, Rafed distribution centre can assist in all temperature band requirements varying from +20 Cº storage for PPE (personal protection equipment) and medical equipment to -90 Cº deep freezer facilities for critical vaccine storage and handling.

Speaking about the agreement, Rafed CEO Rashed Saif Al Qubaisi said that the deal is a major step towards Hope Consortium partnerships efforts to boost the operational and logistical synergies between both companies to facilitate the management, transportation, and storage of COVID-19 vaccines and ensuring their timely delivery across the world. These efforts are aimed at supporting the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines and the development of world-class distribution systems in the coming future, Al Qubaisi added.

He further expressed happiness over the agreement between Rafed and G42 Healthcare on the significant mission to serve humanity amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, G42 Healthcare CEO Ashish Koshy said that the agreement between the two companies strengthens G42 Healthcare’s role as a key international player leading the charge in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

"The agreement allows for all the cold chain warehousing and logistical requirements to be met while ensuring that vaccines are handled with utmost precision and in compliance with international safety standards," he added.

Koshy also affirmed that the deal is one of the first steps towards a long-term partnership with all other members of the Hope Consortium as part of the shared vision of a COVID-19 free world.

Earlier, Rafed announced a collaboration agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports to launch the largest healthcare and medical supplies cold store distribution centre in the UAE.