SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi's expertise in emergency response comes to the fore at the sixth World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting currently being held in the UAE capital.
Organised by the Department of Health in partnership with the WHO and supported by the UAE Ministry of Health, the event gathers over 500 global leaders in emergency medicine, humanitarian aid, and disaster response. The event, kicked off on Tuesday, runs until Thursday at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
Focused on advancing the WHO EMT 2030 strategy, the meeting features strategic discussions, workshops, and an exhibition on innovations in health emergency preparedness.
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Flavio Salio, Network Leader of WHO's Emergency Medical Teams Initiative, highlighted the conference's significance.
"It is impressive to see the number of countries participating and the exchanges happening in technical sessions. This is the first and largest conference of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean region, a key moment to discuss strengthening emergency response capacities,” Dr. Salio said.
He highlighted the UAE's leadership in emergency response and stressed the need to strengthen global ties and build capacity across all WHO regions for future collaboration.
At the EMT, local exhibitors shared their innovations and contributions to emergency response with Aletihad.
Khalifa Alkaabi, head of the exercise evaluation section at the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Center-Abu Dhabi (ADCMC) said: "Our participation here is to review the latest systems in emergency, crisis, and disaster management, including showcasing the Crisis Management Platform. This electronic platform connects 23 local entities, to raise the readiness of local entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to manage and combat emergencies. Through this system, we ensure an ideal response to all risks across the emirate."
He noted that the Crisis Management Platform includes systems for operations, training, resources, and analysis that is supported by AI.
Alkaabi highlighted the exercises and evaluation system as key for ensuring readiness through training and scenario development.
He said that the platform's staged approach has improved communication and coordination, enhancing the readiness of local entities.
Major Ahmed Al Hammadi, Advanced Paramedic at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, said the main highlight of their exhibits is the Smart Ambulance System, which comprises an electronic report on the condition of the patient.
He noted that the system tracks the patient's path from the site to the hospital, ensuring data preservation and reducing the effort in recording information during the transfer process.
Al Hammadi also discussed their advanced emergency response vehicles on display, including a trailer equipped with numerous medical supplies, beds, and tents, capable of treating 25 critically injured individuals.
"We also have a bike called 'Pulse', designed to reach the site before the ambulance. These vehicles are used during rush hours and in crowded areas, ensuring a quick response and enabling authorities to effectively manage the situation," he added.
He also highlighted the self-training system, where paramedics can access AI-powered training remotely.
Meera Al Blooshi, from Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, also discussed their outreach efforts.
"We publish first-aid and hazardous material safety lessons through the Alef Education platform, instilling safety awareness among students and fostering a culture of preparedness from a young age."
Also participating in the event, Khalfan Al Saadi, General Manager at Tasneef Business Assurance, spoke to Aletihad about their participation in the conference as the first certified national classification society.
"Tasneef provides certifications and audits to ensure the UAE meets data security standards and develops regulations for genome projects and emergency stockpiles. As the operator of the UAE's Unified Medical Command Center, we see this conference as an opportunity to engage with WHO experts, fostering discussions on regulatory advancements and continuity planning in healthcare," Al Saadi said.
Another exhibitor, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services aims to enhance international cooperation and exchange expertise with leading professionals in rapid medical response.
Officials from the blood bank said they see their participation as a valuable opportunity to expand networks and deepen knowledge exchange, both of which contribute to improving service quality.