Developing an epidemiological forecasting tool to enhance safety at Expo 2020 Dubai
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the healthcare regulator in the emirate, announced today the development and employment of an innovative and pioneering epidemiological modeling tool for use during Expo 2020 Dubai.
This came as part of a ceremony held at Expo 2020 Dubai, and the department gathered a number of its strategic partners, including Expo 2020 Dubai, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health.
The partnership was signed by Dr. Jamal Muhammad Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, Najeeb Al Ali, Executive Director of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, in the presence of His Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Head of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.
The development of the innovative epidemiological modeling tool, which was called the "Expo 2020 Dubai Model", was carried out by a number of researchers at Khalifa University in cooperation with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, and Expo 2020, with the aim of enhancing the readiness and safety of Expo 2020 Dubai guests. The global event that is expected to attract millions of visitors over the next six months.
The advanced tool works by evaluating simulated scenarios based on information based on the expected number of visitors and all current information available on COVID-19.
Through this, the tool provides a specialized business model based on key epidemiological data and information collected over the past twenty months, based on a set of leading local and global experiences.
This enables the competent health authorities to predict the expected impact on the health care sector, evaluate the required capacity in a timely manner, and develop the best procedures to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors in the event of a change in the epidemiological curve of the number of cases.
The analytical competence used in developing this innovative tool has proven to be a remarkable success, as it has already played a pivotal role in monitoring, monitoring and taking appropriate decisions, which contributed to Abu Dhabi’s ranking as one of the world’s leading cities in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi said: “The health and safety of all visitors, participants and workers is at the top of the list of priorities at Expo, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made this a priority and reinforced our commitment to it. Procedures and close cooperation with local and global institutions, including world-leading health authorities and institutions in the United Arab Emirates.”
Al Hashemi added: “The leading epidemiological modeling tool is an important resource to help continue the mission of Expo 2020 Dubai in maintaining the safety and well-being of everyone who visits the exhibition, and we will continue to follow up and update the measures taken according to any developments.”
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed said: “We are proud to work alongside our partners in Expo 2020 Dubai, Khalifa University and the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, where we were able, under the guidance and support of our wise leadership, to develop an outstanding model for responding to the pandemic and contributing to recovery from it, so that Abu Dhabi and the UAE continue to consolidate their position in dealing With the epidemic and obtaining global praise and appreciation for its efforts in preparing and responding among many countries of the world.”
For his part, Matar Al Nuaimi said: “We are pleased with this distinguished partnership aimed at protecting all members of society, as multilateralism has an important role in addressing epidemics, as it ensures the solidarity of all members of society with the state alike, and this distinctive tool constitutes a qualitative leap for the epidemiological response in the UAE. United Arab Emirates.”
His Excellency added: "Thanks to our wise leadership, which was the password behind our success in addressing the pandemic, we were able to establish a global model for maintaining the health and safety of society, and to dedicate experiences and efforts to serving humanity as a whole, and this partnership is considered complementary to the efforts of the Center and achieving its vision towards a healthy society." safety and in an important event such as Expo 2020.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “We are proud to cooperate with our partners and contribute to the success of this important global event and provide an innovative epidemiological modeling tool, based on the two previous models developed by our local researchers, which highlights Khalifa University’s local research initiatives that make global contributions.