UAE is prepared with supplies for coronavirus: Minister
February 12, 2020, 11:50 am

UAE is prepared with supplies for coronavirus: Minister

Travelers wear masks as they arrive at the Dubai International Airport on January 29, 2020. (File photo Reuters)

The United Arab Emirates has stockpiled enough emergency medical supplies in preparation for the coronavirus, also known as the corona, according to a statement by Health Minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser al-Owais.

“We are among the first countries to have received appropriate quantities of test kits, which, unfortunately, many countries didn’t have until recently,” he said. “The UAE was leading in making orders, following up and in research.”

More than 500 staff members are working on communication, medical investigations, and logistical support to help combat the spread of the virus, he added during his statement while briefing the UAE’s Federal National Council on the virus.

“As soon as the spread of the virus was reported from China, we made available enough quantities of thermometers at the border crossings and airports,” al-Owais said. “We also took all necessary precautions in line with World Health Organization (WHO) protocols.”

The UAE has “adequate reserves” of medical supplies including anti-viral medications, surgical masks, and medical gloves, according to the statement. Al-Owais also confirmed several factories in the UAE are manufacturing more supplies “to the best international standards.”

A total of eight coronavirus cases have been detected in the UAE since the spread of the virus, however, all are in stable condition, according to al-Owais.

“All those who had contact with the affected and the places they have frequented have been contacted,” he added. “All the necessary steps to preempt the spread of the infection have been taken.”

The UAE announced on Sunday that one of the infected, an 83-year-old Chinese woman, had been cured, making her the first person in the country to beat the virus.

source: Joanne Serrieh

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”