Yesterday, Thursday (Thursday), the Dubai Government’s Media Office organized, in cooperation with Dubai TV, a tele-press conference, in which His Excellency Khalifa Bin Dray, Executive Director of the Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation, and His Excellency Omar Bushhab, Chairman of the Dubai Food Security Committee, answered questions from a group of The chief editors of local newspapers and media professionals about the developments in the emirate of Dubai with regard to the emerging corona virus (Covid-19) and the efforts made by all concerned authorities in Dubai to limit the spread of this global pandemic.
At the beginning of the conference, which was broadcast live on Dubai TV channels, as well as Dubai One, accompanied by simultaneous translation into English, and moderated by the journalist Mohammed Salem, His Excellency Khalifa Bin Dari, Executive Director of Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation, praised the efforts made by Dubai ambulance teams in these exceptional circumstances the whole world is going through. Pointing out that the Foundation has applied in the first place the principle of protecting and protecting its ambulance cadres, and then increasing the capacity of the Foundation's work from 5 ambulances to 26 cars designated for dealing with patients with the Corona pandemic, and specifying 130 other ambulances to cover Dubai to deal with normal cases or accidents Or heart patients.
His Excellency also indicated during the press conference the quality of a new initiative that the Foundation will present and is concerned with providing services to the elderly and those of determination, whether they are citizens or residents of Dubai.
During the press conference, which was managed remotely via visual communication technology, the journalist at Sky News Arabia, Faisal Bin Hariz, asked His Excellency Khalifa bin Dary, Executive Director of the Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation, about the number of paramedics who were infected with the emerging corona virus, being the most vulnerable and close to dealing with Confirmed infections, especially if we take into account the extent of the medical sector in many countries due to direct dealing with people living with the virus, and confirm the indicators of the World Health Organization that nearly 10% of the health sector has been affected in some countries due to the infection of its cadres by the epidemic. Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services applies preventive measures at the highest level to protect its cadres since the beginning of the epidemic, and they were trained to deal with these conditions, pointing to the cadres of the institution equipped with all the protective tools and clothing that protect them with a high degree of infection, and every paramedic goes through repeated sterilization stages with every A task that he performs, in addition to that the institution has allocated a special housing for paramedics equipped with all the protective tools including the path for sterilization that was created for the purpose of protecting the institution's cadres and other means for confirming the protection of paramedics periodically.
Regarding the number of paramedics who were infected with the virus as a result of the nature of their tasks that require their presence in the first classes, His Excellency the Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services confirmed that the ambulance staff of the Emirate of Dubai amounted to 1,200 paramedics, only 12 people were injured, and 5 paramedics recovered, praise be to God, and they are now in the field In their duty again, while the remaining seven cases are dealt with and are completely stable.
The journalist, Sami Al-Riyami, editor-in-chief of the Emirates Today newspaper, asked a question about His Excellency the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, about the extent of the Foundation's need for volunteers to work closely with the medical cadres, and the readiness of the institution to increase the preparation of its cadres in the event that additional preparation is required of them, saying: The The Foundation is equipped with all means and plans that help it to play its role proactively and fully, and it is ready to achieve this goal with more than 280 varied ambulances, and 1,200 paramedics supported by a fleet of equipped cars including bicycles and mobile hospitals.
His Excellency added, regarding the Foundation’s need for volunteers, that the Foundation signed an agreement of understanding with the Emirates “Watani” Foundation to provide it with administrative volunteers outside and inside the Foundation. The Foundation also cooperates with many private companies operating in Dubai, which provided for paramedics and ambulances to the Foundation, stressing that the Foundation It has an integrated reserve schedule for a number of volunteers trained to deal with the Corona pandemic, including 45 students from higher colleges of technology from third and fourth year students, and 20 students from Fatima College of Health Sciences are also ready to join the institution if needed.
In response to a question by the journalist Abdul Hamid Ahmed, editor-in-chief of the Gulf News newspaper about the effectiveness of using the special capsule to transmit critical cases for people with infectious diseases, including cases of the emerging coronavirus, asking if the institution’s staff will be trained in the future to deal with various epidemics, including (Covid-19) His Excellency Khalifa Bin Dray stressed that the primary goal of using the capsule is to protect the corporation's emergency staff and prevent the transmission of infections to them during the transfer of the injured to the hospital, stressing that the institution has launched one capsule so far and has proven very effective and is equipped with oxygen devices h To close them, and special openings that allow paramedics to deal with the patient without direct contact, indicating that the capsule is used in 17 European countries and achieved great success at the level of dealing with the Corona pandemic, pointing out that the institution is keen to provide all precautionary and preventive measures for its workers in the field of emergency medicine .
In a question posed by Mohamed Al Hammadi, the editor-in-chief of Al-Ru'ya newspaper about the most difficult situations that the paramedics went through to deal with the cases infected with the virus, and how they were dealt with, His Excellency the Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services explained that the role of the ambulance staff comes in the first step and before the hospital and thus the paramedics are The first line of defense, stressing that one of the most difficult cases that the institution deals with is the affected cases in the area of the lungs, which are the most dangerous to deal with and need careful attention.
In response to a question by the journalist Faisal Baroud of the Emirates News Agency, he directed the Executive Director of the Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation about the time that the individual should contact the Dubai ambulance, and if the ambulance cadres are able to determine the degree of seriousness of the situation by phone, he said: We are committed to applying the directions of the owner His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, to preserve human life and provide the best emergency services according to the highest international standards, and under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Forces Touch He insisted when he said: “A person is a trust in our neck, and what is required is examined. Our duty is to ensure his and his family’s safety.” Noting that Dubai’s ambulance provides all the required checks to any person who feels the need for that, whatever the degree of the condition he suffers without any distinction, confirming that Based on this vision, we deal with any situation we receive through the special operations room, which our staff is interested in providing all the instructions required for them until they reach the injured person.
The journalist Ahmed Al Yamahi from the Abu Dhabi Media Foundation also asked a question to His Excellency Khalifa Bin Dray about the areas that are witnessing an increase in the demand for ambulance services in Dubai, and Bin Dray said that there are no specific areas where injuries are concentrated, as the numbers vary from one region to another, all under monitoring and readiness Our staff, including the remote areas of Dubai.
Economic incentives and long-term commodity stocks.
At the beginning of his speech during the conference, His Excellency Omar Bushahab stressed that the UAE has always been a forerunner in promoting the concept of food security, based on the importance of this strategic file, and thanks to the forward-looking vision of our rational leadership that put the food security file at the top of its priorities, To ensure that the fluctuations that may arise on the global situation are not affected, hence the state established several committees concerned with this file, including the Dubai Food Security Committee, and the relevant state institutions worked to maintain a long-term strategic stockpile of vital food commodities, and established The formation of teams to ensure the safety of the supply, the pattern of expected consumption, and follow - up commodity prices.
On the promotional offers of some commodities launched by some companies during the current period, Bushahab said that there are seasons through which the commercial companies pass, and I have used from time to time to offer some promotional offers to provide prices that are acceptable to consumers and accessible to all, adding that part of the concept of food security is ease and availability Food, if promotions are presented well and thoughtfully, is a good thing for these companies.
In response to a question from the journalist Hamad Al-Kaabi, the editor-in-chief of Al-Ittihad newspaper, about how to increase consumer awareness and awareness about the necessity of not excessively buying food, rationalizing the consumption of food, and reducing waste rates, especially with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, which is witnessing an increase in the consumption of food, he said Bushahab The concept of food security is based on three foundations, the abundance of food commodities, and their permanent presence in the market, and to be accessible to citizens, and achieving food security requires an integrated system that includes the government, the private sector, and members of society.
He added: The state continues its efforts to ensure the availability of all commodities and foodstuffs and to provide alternatives according to clear plans and strategies for several years to ensure the sustainable flow of these materials. On the other hand, consumers should pay attention to the necessity to follow balanced purchasing practices that support the food security system, by not purchasing materials More than the actual need, the stock is available and sufficient for a long time, and there is no need to store food that can be destroyed and wasted, and the reassurances that you constantly send our rational leadership to claim a sense of security and reassurance that a large stock of food commodities are available .
Bushahab pointed out that the Dubai Food Security Committee launched a media plan and awareness programs through social media and various media to educate and educate community members about optimal consumption patterns while maintaining the necessary healthy nutrition, and these campaigns will continue during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a question to the media assistant, Al-Zayani from Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, about the impact of the import and export movement of foodstuffs around the world due to the outbreak of the Corona virus, and how the competent authorities deal with some countries stopping to export their food and agricultural materials, and are there alternative markets to meet the demand of the local market in such cases? The Chairman of Dubai Food Security Committee said that the current conditions affected the movement of importing and exporting foodstuffs around the world, but that one of the most important pillars of the work of the Dubai Food Security Committee revolves around creating solutions that ensure that it is not affected by the surrounding conditions, and the Dubai Food Security Commission relied on Several Principles, the most important of which are diversification of food import sources, opening fields of air freight to obtain the quantities of food required, and searching for alternative markets for food sources, based on our distinguished and well-established international relations, such as opening import markets for some food products such as meat and livestock from new import destinations to compensate for the interruption of exports from destinations Usual import.
In her question to the Chairman of the Dubai Food Security Committee, Mona Bousamra, responsible editor in chief of Al Bayan newspaper, focused on Dubai providing incentives or facilities to your registered merchants and importers to expedite customs procedures or complete transactions electronically, and how the committee follows up on the strategic food stock, where Bushahab said: With regard to merchants And suppliers, Dubai has provided exemptions to suppliers of food commodities from the rents of products and food commodities display platforms at major outlets at an estimated cost of 47 million dirhams for two months, and we also provided 58 free refrigerated and non-refrigerated warehouses with a total area of approximately Yoon has 400,000 square feet, and also provided warehouses for outlets and food suppliers in Dubai South and Al Maktoum Airports, Wasl Real Estate and Jafza.
He added: We coordinated with Dubai Customs to unify the procedures for the certification of food products, and the committee also coordinated regarding the issuance of the necessary permits by the Department of Economic Development in Dubai regarding the extension of working hours for sales outlets in the emirate and the issuance of delivery permits and work during the day of Ramadan, offers and promotional campaigns. The committee facilitates the entry of suppliers to the emirate and warehouse areas and facilitates obtaining the necessary permits. Dubai has made available permits available and free of charge, open 24-hour permits, and other measures that are compatible with the current situation and with companies and establishments.
Bo Shihab pointed out that Dubai's most prominent initiative between the sales outlets and the main suppliers is to provide display platforms for products in the sales outlets, as these platforms were leased by about 60 million dirhams, and were provided free of charge to the suppliers for a period of three months, pointing out that the committee is considering launching incentives Additional during the next stage.
In response to a question by the journalist Abdullah Al-Mutawa from Al-Arabia TV, about whether some sales outlets face any difficulties in increasing their strategic stockpile of goods, and is it sufficient for the supply during the month of Ramadan, especially some of the materials that are consumed on a daily basis, such as vegetables and fruits? Dubai Food Security that Dubai’s food stock is sufficient to cover the emirate’s needs for many months and there is no cause for concern. In response to the repercussions of the current crisis, we formed the Food Security Committee with the aim of ensuring the availability and ability to access food with sufficient nutritional value for all citizens and residents in the Emirate of Dubai throughout the period of For emergencies and beyond, the committee is developing its plans according to the axes of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as it has identified the main commodities to be in line with the Emirates food security strategy, including the necessary daily commodities, whose consumption increases during Ramadan and these rates are not affected by the current conditions.
In his question, the journalist Mustafa Al-Zarouni, the editor-in-chief of the Khaleej Times, inquired about how Dubai and the UAE managed to avoid commodity shortages or increase their prices significantly during the current period. Bushhab said: The Emirate of Dubai and the UAE have taken many effective measures and initiatives to enhance the national stockpile. Food supplies in the country in light of the emerging Corona Virus pandemic, and the most important of these steps is the issuance of the strategic stock law for food commodities in the UAE, which was an important step to strengthen the food security system in the country and enhance the state’s sufficiency in food commodity reserves The main ones, especially during crises and emergencies.
The Chairman of the Dubai Food Security Committee pointed out that Dubai, in response to the repercussions of the current conditions, the committee has determined the list of basic food commodities according to the needs, requirements and patterns of consumption of residents in the emirate, and in the light of it is through the price observatory, which is the daily observatory of prices with the minimum and maximum prices of basic food commodities And the necessary products by monitoring and following up commodity prices daily to maintain the price level of food commodities in the emirate.