The UAE’s successful handling of the pandemic paves the way for the future

The UAE has tackled the Covid-19 pandemic in the most effective way and stands out as a shining example to the world.

While an unprecedented global crisis due to the Black Swan event brought the world to almost a standstill, the UAE has managed to turn the tide.

The year 2020 has been the most unprecedented year that our generation has seen, bringing a crisis that can be compared only with the Spanish flu a century ago. The year has seen the novel coronavirus infect more that 65 million people in almost all the countries across the world, killing more than a million. The global economy has come to a standstill, with lockdowns confining people to their homes.

However, through multiple strategic national programmes with timely interventions, the UAE could bring Covid-19 under control with a very low mortality rate, emerging as one of the safest countries in the world.

As a healthcare organisation which began three decades ago in the UAE, we at Aster DM Healthcare couldn’t be more proud of the achievement of the country in this extremely difficult year.

We are glad that we could play an active role, working hand-in-hand with various authorities to tackle the crisis and help the large number of people in need of treatment.

Our hospitals and clinics in the UAE have treated 7,375 patients with a case fatality rate of less than 1 per cent, and we also screened 260,164 people and were actively involved in the quarantining of the population in various facilities. All these measures helped to flatten the curve when the pandemic was at its peak.

Apart from testing and treating patients, we have used the challenge as an opportunity to diversify our business model, evolve new services and focus on technological innovation focussing on the future of healthcare delivery. Focus on Telemedicine, Home healthcare, E-ICU, remote monitoring are just the beginning as we forge ahead to serve the world ahead of the curve in digital transformation .

As we look towards the future, we stand aligned with the UAE towards the ‘Next 50 years’ plan to push forth on our commitment towards building a healthier nation through affordable, accessible healthcare through a hybrid brick and click model.

Dr. Azad Moopen is the founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare