The Ministry of Health signs private hospital agreements to enhance medical preparedness in emergency and crisis situations

Within the framework of the UAE’s proactive approach to managing emergencies and crises, and its keenness to strengthen the national health security system, the Ministry of Health and Community Protection signed a number of agreements with a group of private hospitals in various emirates of the country, with the aim of enhancing joint cooperation in the areas of preparedness and response to emergency situations, and establishing the concept of integration between the government and private sectors, ensuring the continuity of providing vital health services to all members of society in various circumstances.

The signing ceremony of the agreements was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector, Dr. Amin Al Amiri, where it was signed by the Director of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center, Dr. Abdul Karim Al Zarouni, on behalf of the Ministry, with the executive directors of each of the hospitals: “Saudi German Hospital in Sharjah and Ajman, and each of the Central Hospital, Zulekha, Burjeel, NMC Royal in Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah Hospital.”

This initiative aims to raise the efficiency and flexibility of the health system and enhance its readiness to deal with various challenges, by adopting integrated policies based on partnership and shared national responsibility, and based on the principles of prevention, preparedness, rapid response and recovery, to ensure the provision of high-quality and sustainable health services that enhance the country’s immunity in the face of global and regional health crises.

Enhance readiness

Dr. Abdul Karim Al Zarouni explained that these agreements come within a unified national framework aimed at enhancing the readiness of the health sector in the country, and ensuring coordination of efforts between various levels and governmental and private health institutions, to achieve the highest levels of response and efficiency when any health emergency occurs, in line with the aspirations of the UAE to build a more sustainable and efficient health future, stressing that the Ministry is continuing to develop a flexible national system based on risk management and benefiting from Expertise and enhancing cooperation with various stakeholders, to support government efforts in building a health sector capable of dealing with various possible scenarios.

Dr. Al Zarouni said: “The Ministry of Health and Community Protection is working to establish a culture of proactiveness in dealing with crises, by building an integrated system capable of predicting risks and responding effectively. Advance planning, exchange of experiences, and continuous training are essential elements in the Ministry’s policy to ensure the sustainability of health services in all cases, relying on governance, integration, and employing smart technical solutions to enhance the speed of response.” And the accuracy of the decision, which contributes to protecting lives and maintaining the continuity of medical services without interruption.”

Flexible response plan

Under the agreements, the Ministry will supervise the preparation of the emergency medical response plan for hospitals and business continuity plans to ensure the provision of basic services and their implementation in the event of an emergency, in addition to supervising the preparation and updating of the hospitals’ risk register, and involving them in implementing mock exercises and specialized training courses to confront health emergencies.

While hospitals allocate 30% of the capacity of hospital beds at the disposal of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center in the Ministry of Health and Community Protection and representative offices, while ensuring the provision of a strategic medical stock of medicines and medical supplies for a period of no less than six months to the hospital’s pharmacies, and updating the hospital’s medical resources data with the Ministry of Health and Community Protection’s smart platform “Jahez” or “Our Resources” or any system. Or a platform that will be developed in the future. And adherence to the provisions of the Council of Ministers’ decision regarding publishing and exchanging health information related to communicable diseases.

Hospital directors affirmed their keenness to support the Ministry’s efforts in proactive planning for health emergencies and developing medical response capabilities, and that cooperation with the Ministry reflects mutual trust between the government and private sectors, and embodies the national partnership in enhancing health community security, thus consolidating the UAE’s position as a global model in readiness, preparedness, and effective response to health emergencies.