UAE | Health
UAE approves study on crisis management
General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, has approved a study on developing a strategic plan for crisis management, according to Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).
- WAM
- Published: 23:32 May 3, 2009
Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, has approved a study on developing a strategic plan for crisis management, according to Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).
"The UAE must have a comprehensive plan for management of all types of crises," Al Mansouri said in a statement yesterday following the inauguration of an exhibition organised by EAD to mark World Water Day.
He added that a consultant has already been selected to conduct the study. Al Mansouri said preparations were underway to stage a series of drills to contain a possible outbreak of bird flu.
The drills are being coordinated by members of a task force which has representatives from the armed forces, interior ministry, municipalities, general authority for health services, ministry of health and ministry of environment and water.
The hotline created to receive public inquiries about bird flu has received more than 16,000 calls, an indication, said Al Mansouri, of rising awareness among the public about the perils of this disease.
On the situation regarding water resources, Al Mansouri said a study on Abu Dhabi's underground water resources was recently conducted.
WHO help sought to unify global efforts
The UAE has called for a global programme led by the World Health Organisation to combat and contain the spread of avian flu virus.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Committee for Emergency Response to Bird Flu, made the call in an editorial in the latest issue of Al Saggar monthly magazine of Emirates Falconers Club under his capacity as the club Chairman. Shaikh Hamdan said: "The world should work together to combat the threat of this virus and actions should go beyond sympathy, conferences and daily news."
"The issue should be taken up in a worldwide programme led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) under the patronage of the United Nations. A forum of effective international forces with the participation of the pioneering organisations and establishments specialised in disease prevention, care and treatment is the need of the hour. We might also need to create task forces of experts, scientists, researchers and administrators who have the back-up, the will, and the motivation to save mankind from an imminent danger."
The minister said the world is facing a highly aggressive and mutating bird flu virus, which might be disastrous if transferred between humans. "No one can be away from the threat of this virus because it is highly infectious and dangerous and moves with migrating birds, people and goods."
- Nissar Hoath, Staff Reporter
Share this article
Popular in UAE
-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- Complaints against cab drivers decline
- Camel in RAK gives birth to twins
- No hike in water, electricity rates
- Thalassaemia website 'will help educate youth'
- Saif is appointed Emiratisation chief
- Experts call for reviewing green cost of desalination
- Readers: Less water usage means less desalination
- Dubai Police open centre to combat marine pollution
- Pavement parking irks pedestrians
- Man jailed 3 years in fatal assault of colleague
- Murder: Mother gets stiffer sentence
- Traffic Prosecution adopts humanitarian step
- 'All-green' project to ease traffic flow
- UAE starts administering H1N1 vaccines
- Diplomacy: Envoys received
Community Reports
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
