MoHAP Strengthens Medical Preparedness Through New Agreements With UAE Hospitals

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has formalised agreements with several private hospitals across the UAE. This collaboration aims to improve emergency preparedness and response, enhancing integration between public and private healthcare sectors. These agreements are part of the UAE's proactive strategy to manage emergencies, ensuring continuous essential healthcare services for everyone, regardless of circumstances.

Dr. Abdul Karim Al Zarouni emphasised that these agreements fit within a national framework designed to enhance healthcare readiness. The goal is to improve coordination among public and private health institutions, ensuring high responsiveness and efficiency during health emergencies. This aligns with the UAE's vision for a sustainable and efficient healthcare future.

Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, attended the signing ceremony. Dr. Abdul Karim Al Zarouni, Director of the Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Operations Centre, signed the agreements alongside executive directors from various hospitals like Saudi German Hospital (Sharjah and Ajman), Central Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Burjeel Hospital, NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah Hospital.

The Ministry will oversee hospitals' emergency medical response plans and business continuity frameworks under these agreements. This ensures essential services remain available during emergencies. Hospitals will also maintain a strategic stockpile of medicines and supplies for at least six months in their pharmacies.

Hospitals will allocate 30% of their bed capacity to the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre. They must also update medical resource data on platforms like "Jahiz" or "Mawardna". Compliance with Cabinet Resolution provisions regarding communicable diseases is required as well.

Dr. Abdul Karim Al Zarouni stated that the Ministry is committed to developing a flexible national framework promoting risk management and inter-agency collaboration. This supports efforts to build a robust health sector capable of responding to all potential scenarios.

Commitment to Proactive Planning

Al Zarouni affirmed that the Ministry prioritises planning, knowledge sharing, and continuous training as key pillars of its policy. "The Ministry of Health and Prevention will spare no effort to instil a culture of proactivity in crisis management through establishing an integrated system capable of foreseeing risks and responding effectively," he stated.

The Ministry will also engage hospitals in simulation drills and specialised training programmes to strengthen readiness for health emergencies. Regular updates of hospitals’ specific risk registers are part of this initiative.

A Unified National Framework

This initiative aims to boost the efficiency and resilience of the national health system by adopting an integrated approach that promotes shared responsibility. It strengthens prevention principles, preparedness, rapid response, and recovery efforts.

Hospital directors reaffirmed their commitment to supporting MoHAP’s proactive health emergency planning. They noted that this collaboration reflects strong mutual trust between public and private sectors, embodying a true national partnership dedicated to strengthening health security in the UAE.

This cooperation enhances medical response capabilities while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global model in health emergency preparedness and response.

With inputs from WAM