The UAE has received praised from world leaders for its exceptional efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. Roberto Speranza, Italian Minister of Health and current president of the G20 Ministers of Health, lauded the UAE for implementing one of the most effective responses against COVID-19. The UAE ensured necessary measures to combat the pandemic and achieve one of the lowest mortality and infection rates in the world.

"The approach ensured the health and safety of the community and maintained the vitality of the local economy," the Italian minister added.

The statement was made during the Italian minister's visit to the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH). During the visit, Roberto Speranza was accompanied by Nicola Lehner, Italian Ambassador to the UAE, and other of the delegation.

The dignitaries were welcomed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of DoH; Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Under-Secretary of DoH; Matar Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and other from DoH and ADPHC.

As part of the visit, Abu Dhabi officials highlighted various efforts ensured by the UAE and learnings in the fight against the pandemic over the past few months. Furthermore, discussions took place between both sides about the scientific opportunities provided by the pandemic and reviewed practical methods in epidemiology, research, technology, and innovation. Officials from both sides also examined future partnerships in key areas of preventive medicine, telemedicine, biotechnology, genomics, life science, and medical technologies.

Addressing the gathering, Al Hamed underlined that the UAE's achievements against COVID-19 are guided by the directions of the wise leadership and government of the country. The UAE's leadership and relevent authorities showcased continuous support and coordination to ensure the health and wellbeing of the country.

"The last 20 months were challenging yet rewarding. It gave us many lessons, but most of all with the confidence of carrying the journey that our leadership has set up to make Abu Dhabi one of the best healthcare systems globally," th DoH Chairman said.

Al Hamed further welcomed Roberto Speranza as the official the UAE's experiences in the response against pandemic. The two officials also discussed potential ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Italy in the healthcare sector.

"We shared many of the common challenges that we faced and agreed to take the collaboration forward to serve our respected nations and the wider world," he added.

Al Hamed noted that international praises earned by Abu Dhabi confirms the positive outcome of the exceptional response model adopted by the emirate in COVID-19 fight.

"We are proud of the exerted efforts and where we reached today. We look forward to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position on the global healthcare map," he added.

According to the London-based analytics consortium Deep Knowledge Group (DKG), Abu Dhabi has been ranked among 50 cities with successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the of the pandemic outbreak, Abu Dhabi authorities have been improving the measures, procedures and initiatives to combat the spread of COVID-19 and maintain the health and safety of citizens, residents and visitors in the emirate.

In addition, the private and public sectors of Abu Dhabi joint their efforts to boost the development of the healthcare sector and strengthen the emirate's economy throughout the crisis.

DKG provides the ranking on the basis of the efficiency of the government in addressing the crisis, mitigating its challenges and digital services. DKG underscored Abu Dhabi's economic flexibility, effectiveness of quarantine system in the city, scope and duration of the vaccination campaign, increased vaccine availability and higher number of recipients.

The UAE launched the COVID-19 National Vaccination Campaign, which has inoculated more than 90 percent of the population for free in only a few months. Additionally, the UAE one of the and largest clinical trials of COVID-19 which generated positive results to support the approval of crucial vaccines.

With the launch of the Hope Consortium, the UAE become of the biggest donors of the critical COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need. The consortium has provided an effective supply chain to address airlifting challenges for delivery of vaccines. In a short span of time, the consortium has delivered over 100 million vaccine doses to over 65 countries.

WAM