The Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced the allocation of the Al Qarain Health Center in the Emirate of Sharjah as the first center outside the city of Abu Dhabi to register, examine and test volunteers wishing to participate in the first clinical trial of the third phase of the inactive vaccine for the emerging corona virus, which was developed through the company «Synovarm CNB G », and this comes in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Health Department, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), and G42 Healthcare.
The inauguration of the new center, which has a capacity of more than 500 volunteers per day, was part of the efforts of the UAE to absorb the continuous momentum witnessed by volunteers since the launch of the "For Humanity" program on 16 July 2020, where the center will play a major role in facilitating registration procedures Volunteers and conduct the necessary checks.
The Minister of Health and Community Protection, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, said that the health sector in the Emirates adopts a flexible and multi-track strategy in dealing with the Corona pandemic, which depends on the competent authorities conducting the largest possible number of medical examinations, and providing the necessary care for the injured, and at the same time Strengthening cooperation with international partners to work on developing a safe vaccine against disease, therefore, the expansion of the geographical scope of the "for humanity" program to include all emirates of the country, came to enhance the results of clinical trials aimed at ensuring the safety and efficacy of the vaccine on a larger segment of individuals.
He added: «We are optimistic about achieving advanced results that support the global efforts to produce the vaccine, which is a distinct contribution from the UAE, to be added to the record of the state’s achievements in the field of clinical research thanks to the advanced infrastructure, the efficiency of the health system and its ability to conduct medical research, in accordance with the highest international standards» .
In turn, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Chairman of the Emirates Foundation for Health Services, Dr. Muhammad Salim Al-Ulama, affirmed the ministry’s keenness to harness the necessary resources and capabilities, to ensure the full readiness of the Health Evidence Center, to facilitate the success of the third stage of the tests, pointing out that this step came as a result Because of the desire of thousands of volunteers from most nationalities to participate in clinical trials, which reflects confidence in the Emirati health system, and its ability to conduct experiments for promising vaccine testing in partnership with local and international bodies, indicating that the new center has the appropriate space and ideal facilities that help to register and conduct a medical examination for volunteers, According to the best scientific standards followed, in addition to the ease of access to it from the residents of Dubai, Sharjah, and Northern Emirates.
For his part, CEO of «G42 Health Care» Ashish Kochi said: “The call for volunteering and participation in the campaign (for the sake of humanity) has witnessed a wide response from various segments of the targeted community. Since the launch of clinical trials in the UAE, we have witnessed great support from various sides The official health department, headed by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, as well as the response of volunteers, citizens and residents from all parts of the Emirates in the performance of their national role, and contribute to ensuring the success of these experiences ».
Exemption from tests outside the scope of the experiments program
In coordination with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the Ministry of Health and Community Protection approved the exemption of volunteers in the third phase of clinical trials for the inactive "COFED-19" vaccine from any other HIV tests, outside the scope of the testing program. It was also decided to use the Al-Hosn application to introduce volunteers to benefit from the exemption, as they have to install the program on their smartphones. In the third phase of the trials that started in Abu Dhabi last month, volunteers will receive two doses of vaccination, and remote medical follow-up by phone to monitor the volunteer's health status and discuss the results of the vaccine. The success of a volunteer’s journey depends on his continuation of the program, throughout his 49-day period. The decision to waive comes from other examinations, given that volunteers are required to follow specific and precise procedures during all stages of the testing program. Abu Dhabi - WAM
Expanding experiments
The opening of the Al Qarain Center, in Sharjah, follows the success achieved by the specialized field clinic, which was recently opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), which witnessed the participation of thousands of volunteers, and expanding the range of experiences throughout the country is part of a series National initiatives, which aim to enhance the health of the population, support medical research and development capabilities in the UAE, and confirm the local capacity to manufacture the vaccine, in line with international guidelines established by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Authority.
And the third stage clinical trials complete the successful march of the first and second stage experiments conducted by "Cinofarm" in China, which resulted in the generation of 100% of the volunteers to the antibodies to (S-CoV-2) virus that causes (Covid-19), after two doses during 28 days, and the experiences of the third phase are available for volunteers who live in the Emirates, and their ages range between 18 and 60 years, and will continue for a period ranging between three and six months, and volunteers are required to be present for follow-up during that period.