UAE fights coronavirus: Sheikh Hamdan hails team behind innovative, UAE-made ventilators

Sheikh Hamdan reviewed a prototype of the new ventilator on Friday.

Dubai - The DFF ventilator is part of the country's efforts to deploy breakthrough technologies in the fight against Covid-19 and enhance its healthcare capabilities.

By Staff report

Published: Sun 24 May 2020, 1:10 AM

The team behind the first UAE-made medical ventilator earned praise from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
"We are proud of the efforts of talented local specialists who designed and developed an innovative medical ventilator. We are also proud of the DFF's efforts in making this scientific achievement possible," Sheikh Hamdan said as he reviewed the prototype of the machine.
The development of the ventilator will help meet the growing demand for medical equipment that is necessary in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
These UAE-made devices - which were presented to the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Dubai Health Authority recently - will be subjected to field trials in a few days.

Proud of the Emirati efforts at @DubaiFuture for producing the first ventilator 930 made in the UAE, in the battle against COVID-19. We look forward to seeing more inspiring national innovations. pic.twitter.com/Hs7wyOiv3P
- Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 22, 2020

Khalifa Al Qama, director of laboratories at the DFF, and Saqr Bin Ghaleb, director of the office of artificial intelligence and a member of the project's scientific team, explained the specifications of the ventilators that were designed based on the highest international standards.
The team designed and tested ventilators that can provide oxygen to patients for long periods of time and efficiently adapt to changes in vital indicators, such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.
Considering the worldwide scarcity of medical components and equipment in the time of the pandemic, they also found ways to ensure that the materials used for the devices can be easily sourced and manufactured.
Resources were procured locally, in cooperation with government agencies, private companies, research centres, academic institutions and universities.

Dubai is ready for the future and the challenges of our changing world. This achievement emphasizes @HHShkMohd's vision, which is to establish Dubai Future Foundation as a global laboratory for futuristic technologies.
- Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 22, 2020

Sheikh Hamdan also directed the team to coordinate efforts with local laboratories, specialised companies, national and international universities and other stakeholders in the UAE and across the world to accelerate the implementation of projects.
"In Dubai, we believe that all stakeholders are key partners in shaping our success stories and enhancing our ability to meet challenges. We will be able to achieve more through innovation. I am confident Dubai will become a leader among the cities of the future," he said.
The project was part of the UAE's efforts to deploy breakthrough technologies that can help fight the pandemic.
Sheikh Hamdan said the team's achievement has been guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make DFF a global research and development hub for futuristic technologies.
"Accomplishments like this further contribute to realising Sheikh Mohammed's vision for the future and his commitment to fostering local talent and innovative homegrown technology, as well as the country's proactive efforts to raise its advanced healthcare competencies," the Dubai Crown Prince added.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com