Pictures: Sheikh Hamdan opens field hospital at Dubai World Trade Centre

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, opened the field hospital at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) on Saturday (April 18, 2020).

During his field trip, Sheikh Hamdan inspected the various facilities of the new hospital and met a group of doctors and those operating the hospital, which supports the health system in Dubai and comes within the preventive measures to enhance the emirate's capabilities in dealing with COVID-19.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the UAE’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is being implemented in Dubai according to a proactive strategy that takes into consideration all possible scenarios. The positive results of the emirate’s measures reflect Dubai’s exceptional preparedness for all possibilities.

He further said that comprehensive preventive steps have been implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people in Dubai in line with nationwide measures. He was accompanied by Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The visit is part of his keenness to ensure the readiness of task forces in charge of the fight against COVID-19.

He reviewed their efforts to ensure the highest level of safety for the community by monitoring potential and confirmed cases and taking appropriate measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by the Head of Dubai’s COVID-19 Command and Control Center Dr. Amer Al Sharif about the first phase of the field hospital set up in one of DWTC’s halls with a capacity of 300 beds.

The field hospital, which treats mild to moderate cases, can be expanded to reach a maximum capacity of 3000 beds. Critical cases are quickly transferred to mainline hospitals to receive intensive treatment.

Sheikh Hamdan was also updated by Chief Executive Officer of the Primary Health Care Services Sector of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Dr. Manal Taryam about the different aspects of the field hospital including equipment and operational strategy. He expressed his admiration for the integrated work plan developed to ensure the hospital operates at the highest level of efficiency.

Sheikh Hamdan also praised the preventive measures outlined by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, which have been praised globally, as well as the exceptional efforts of local health authorities. Appreciating DHA’s efforts, he thanked all workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 including medical, nursing, paramedical and administrative staff, as well as fieldworkers.