He said 129 of them were approved, and five had received international scientific arbitration, and they were published and circulated internationally in bulletins, periodicals and medical references.

He said that the authority was also able – despite the pandemic – to provide 43,000 blood units for emergency cases, deliver 1.4 million medicine packages to patients’ homes, and also provided more than 60,000 consultations within the telemedicine system, and carried out more than 21,000 home care visits for the elderly and people of determination.

Al Qatami said that the strength of the UAE and Dubai in combating the COVID-19 pandemic is derived from the generous care and support that the wise leadership of the UAE gives to people, their health and safety.

Participants of the Arab Conference stressed the importance of benefiting from the UAE and Dubai’s experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The participants included a large number of leaders, senior officials and advisors from Arab health ministries and institutions who also stressed the importance of exchanging successful experiences to enhance the capabilities of Arab countries when facing such pandemics.

Al Qutami concluded by stressing that there are many lessons learned from the pandemic, including: how to be always prepared, ensuring scientific and research cooperation and exchange experiences.

He also stressed the importance of establishing specialized institutes for public health and family medicine in Arab countries, and providing strong monitoring networks for epidemiology and infectious diseases. Al Qutami agreed with what was proposed by the conference on the need to include pandemic response within the sustainable development agenda of Arab countries.

• Application of high-level protocols in work systems and sectors in accordance with international standards.

• Close monitoring of all of the country’s ports (land, air and sea).

• Implementing a remote education system and working remotely

• Suspending all activities and events, closing centres and places of worship.

• Critical precautionary measures such as national sterilization and staying at home.

• Completing more than 18 million laboratory tests for COVID-19.

Al Qutami stressed the importance of placing public health in the priorities of countries’ strategies and also stated that there has been many measures taken in Dubai, which included:

• Forming a supreme committee for crises and emergencies in Dubai, and having representatives from all concerned authorities at a high level.

• Restricting movement, implementing physical distancing, and national sterilization.

• Forming a higher committee in the DHA and specialized work teams.

• Opening channels of communication with international health institutions.

• Preparing for multiple possible scenarios.

• Monitoring strategic stocks of medicine and medical supplies.

• Raising awareness amongst the public about the pandemic.