KT Hero of 2020: How UAE's NCEMA led the charge during Covid crisis

Dubai - When the pandemic struck, the country was not caught off guard

The novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has impacted nations across the world disrupting lives and livelihoods of millions of people.

The raging pandemic that claimed more than a million lives has strangled economies and put to test even the most efficient healthcare infrastructure globally. However, the UAE has shown exemplary resilience to deal with the pandemic, thanks to the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

The federal body, which was established on May 14, 2007, rose to its mandate of raising the readiness and resilience of the country during emergencies.

Operating under the supervision of the Supreme Council for National Security, the NCEMA is the federal standard-setting body responsible for regulating and coordinating all efforts of emergency, crisis and disaster management. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck the UAE, the country was not caught off guard.

Instead, national and state-level institutions were amply prepared to deal with the healthcare crisis.

The NCEMA began monitoring the evolution of the disease ever since the first case was reported in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province.

On January 29, the UAE recorded the first case of Covid-19 from a Chinese family that was visiting the country. With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Covid-19 a pandemic, and the infection rates accelerating, the NCEMA issued guidelines to public and private entities to limit the spread of the virus.

A nationwide sterilisation campaign to disinfect streets, public places, buses and Dubai Metro began on March 26. A partial curfew was also imposed with restrictions on movement of the public at night.

Residents were regularly reminded about the curfew timings, and all private and public entities were also asked to maintain precautionary measures. For instance, shopping malls and restaurants were asked to restrict their customers to 30 per cent of their total capacity. Schools and universities were instructed to switch to online classes.

One of the most important tasks cut out for the NCEMA was ramping up of the national health-care capabilities. At the peak of the healthcare emergency, the UAE’s private hospitals set up special Covid-19 wards and all non-emergency procedures were put on hold to cater to patients, who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 that causes the viral disease.

Under the guidelines from the NCEMA, health authorities set up field hospitals across the country to improve and expedite emergency responses. Quarantine centres were set up and even private buildings and hotels were transformed into isolation centres for infected people.

The NCEMA’s strategy of mass testing and anti-Covid strategies have set an example for the rest of the world. The UAE ranks first glob- ally in per capita Covid-19 tests and became an inspirational model in flattening the viral curve.

anjana@khaleejtimes.com