A UAE-based team of researchers at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center has developed a breakthrough stem cell treatment for COVID-19. A patent has been granted by the Ministry of Economy to explore this promising treatment, which has successfully been administered to 73 patients to date.
Dubai authorities have announced the Emirate could open for tourism by early July, dependent on global COVID-19 developments.
Malls have reopened in Dubai and Abu Dhabi at reduced capacity. Malls are equipped with thermal scanners, and employ- ees must be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work.
Abu Dhabi has announced that all workers in commercial and industrial companies must be tested for COVID-19. The UAE has carried out temperature checks, nasal swabs, and basic blood tests on as many as 35,000 UAE residents per day.
The UAE has sent medical aid to the Philippines, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. To date, the UAE has provided more than 348 metric tons of aid to over 34 countries, supporting nearly 348,000 medical professionals.
The UAE’s National Reference Laboratory announced it is increasing its daily COVID-19 testing capacity by 2,500, raising the total number of tests from 3,500 to 6,000.
The UAE is now producing nearly six million tonnes of food per year, reflecting the country’s growing self-sufficiency and food security. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, food factories have kept up with demand, with production able to be tripled if necessary.
More than 58 studies are being conducted in the UAE to re- search and develop innovative treatments for COVID-19. The studies cover genetic factors, animal-to-human spread, and 3-D medical technologies.
Four new field hospitals have been built in the Northern Emirates to raise hospital capacity to more than 5,000 beds total.
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways announced it plans to start operating regular passenger flights from June 16.
In a statement to mark International Labour Day, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said that UAE leadership has prioritized workers’ welfare, with the ‘Don’t Worry’ initiative providing a safety net for the public.
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
MINISTER OF TOLERANCE:
“The UAE leadership spared no effort in ensuring the welfare of workers even under the current circumstances…Workers in the UAE are highly respected as an integral part of the community.”
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi
CO-RESEARCHER OF STEM CELL TREATMENT PROJECT, HEMATOLOGY CONSULTANT AND DIVISION HEAD OF HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY AT SHEIKH KHALIFA MEDICAL CITY
“Although the researchers have drawn on the expertise and standards of academic colleagues from around the world, who have made many significant achievements in the area of stem cells already, this method is novel and has not been tested before as a treatment for COVID-19 or any other disease. Clearly any treatment that significantly reduces the mortality rate is going to be a game changer for government in deciding how to manage public health security…If the treatment continues to prove successful in larger upcoming trials, it could then be replicated by anyone who has the proper equipment and expertise.”