Residents praise UAE spirit, feel honoured to be a part of it
Through multiple strategic National Programmes and with timely intervention, the UAE could bring COVID-19 under control, says Dr. Azad Moopen
SHARJAH: It is said that divine providence puts us where we are for a reason and a purpose.
This 02 December, as we jubilantly congratulate the United Arab Emirates and the Emiratis for their 49th National Day, let us all jointly, warmly express Shukran Jazeelan! Mutamaniyaan Lakum Yawmaan Wataniaan Saeidaan Jiddaan!
A number of residents who spoke to the Gulf Today, expressed their gratitude towards the wise leadership of the UAE and said they are honoured to be the residents of a nation that welcomes all with open arms irrespective of nationality, religion caste or colour of skin.
Dr Chuloh Jung-ajman University Innovation centre director/college of Architecture-art and Design associate professor, a South Korean said “UAE gave me the fair opportunity to be successful in my academic career which I couldn’t have even with two harvard university degrees in south korea .”
Alvin Litonjua-crossroads Church of Dubai pastor, Filipino: “I am grateful that the UAE has welcomed the beauty of diversity. It is welladorned by the diversity of community, culture, custom, cuisine and conviction.”
Egbo Samuel Ozoemenam, house electrician, Nigerian: “I am thankful for the overall quality of good governance, social amenities, commitment to safety and good load network.”
Sebastian Fernandes, Quality Management consultant/technical expert in Nondestructive Testing, Welding and Quality Assurance/quality Control, an Indian said: “I thank the UAE for the excellent roads. I have been to 43 countries and state with certainty that roads in the UAE are beter than most of Europe and USA!”
Juha Koski-itcher co-founder, a Finnish said “UAE embraces its newscomers with friendliness, hospitality and a sense of service. The public areas are safe for which all residents and visitors must be grateful for. The leaders’ ability to make fast and effective decisions in challenging times ( COVID-19) has impressed me-all to the benefit of everyone living here.”
Susan Villanueva de Guzman-web/graphic designer/muralist/online Learning specialist/ educator, a Filipino said: “I am thankful for the privilege to educate young nationals for 20 long years. I developed friendship, understanding of culture, heritage and religion. I was privileged of raising my children in this safe country and most of all this has been my second home for the last 27 years. Shukran UAE!”
Fajar Maulana Fikri-the Espresso Lab coffee trainer and quality controller from Indonesia said: “Peace begins with tolerance and respect from everyone which we live by in the UAE. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live peacefully in this amazing country.” Soni Ali Wanyali-housewife, Thai: “The government and the people make me feel so much blessed; no different and welcomed.”
Dr. Jamil Ahmed-prime Healthcare Group managing director, an Indian: “Happiness and pride as a resident of this beautiful country have multiplied a billion times more. Thanks to the UAE and its wonderful rulers for extending care and support to all people in the UAE during this pandemic.”
Ghada Sawalmah-gargash Hospital chief executive officer, an Emirati: “I thank the Visionary Leaders of the UAE for empowering women to aim high, dream big and providing them all support to achieve their dreams.”
Elena Gramatica-twister Communications Middle East managing partner, an Italian: “I am grateful to the UAE for allowing me to establish my own business seven years ago in a country full of energy and opportunities, while raising my kids to become citizens of the world.”
Lyle Ham-sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding-it and Creative Department head: “This is my 14th year to celebrate the country’s Union. The UAE has shown resilience in whatever challenges the world faces, always united towards a common goal which benefit all us expatriates. I have met different people from around the world especially at my workplace and learnt their cultures. The UAE and Emiratis have embraced us. This is my second home, a safe place to live in.”
Wijanananko-export manager, an Indonesian said, “Wishing the UAE will be more developed and successful in all aspects; safe and peaceful all the time.” Kwan Seok Lee-korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (Middle East and North Africa regional director/expo2020dubai Korean Pavilion deputy commissioner general, Korean: “Thank you for being our true friend for 40 years. I hope we can strengthen our relationships for our beter mutual prosperity and success in the future.”
Kirdjakree Haemapun-culex Hospitality Group business owner, Thai: “UAE is our home for the last 20 years. It offers the best environment for businesses and families. Thank you UAE!”
Winnie Orines-office administration executive, Filipino: “Everything in the UAE is beyond imagination. No long lines. No hassles. Everything you can do without much effort.”
Muhammad Ruslailang, senior engineer, Indonesian: “I am grateful that I am a UAE resident. Their people are lovable and charming. I felt like home as soon as I arrived here in 2011.”
“I salute and congratulate the Visionary Rulers of UAE, on the 49th National Day for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in the most efficacious manner, standing out as a shining example in the darkness around. While an unprecedented global crisis due to the Black Swan event brought the whole world to almost a standstill, this Oasis of peace and prosperity could turn the tide around and emerge victorious,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare.
“The year 2020 has been the most unprecedented year that our generation has seen, bringing a crisis that can be compared only with the Spanish flu a century ago. The last one year saw the Novel Coronavirus infecting more that 60 million people in almost all countries in the world and killing more than a million. The global economy came to a standstill with lockdown confining people to their homes. However, through multiple strategic National Programmes and with timely intervention, the UAE could bring COVID-19 under control with very low mortality rate, emerging as one of the safest countries in the world.
“The Visionary Rulers of UAE are successfully upholding the Vision of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed, to ensure peace and prosperity for the citizens and residents of the country to build a sustainable future for everyone. As a healthcare organisation that started its journey three decades ago in UAE, we at Aster DM Healthcare couldn’t be more proud of the achievement of the country in this extremely difficult year. We are glad that we could play an active role, working hand-in-hand with various authorities to tackle the crisis and help large number of people in need of treatment. Our hospitals and clinics in UAE have treated 7,375 patients with a case fatality rate of less than 1% and we also screened 260,164 people, while being actively involved in quarantining of the population across various facilities, which helped to flaten the curve when the pandemic was at its peak.”
He continued, “Apart from testing and treating patients, we have used the challenge as an opportunity to diversify our business model, evolve new services and focus on technological innovation aimed at redefining the future of healthcare delivery. Focus on Telemedicine, Home healthcare, E-ICU and remote monitoring are just the beginning as we make swit progress to serve the world ahead of the curve in digital transformation. Aligned with the UAE’S vision for a digital first economy, Aster has been spearheading dialogues in digital health through Aster Innovation and Research Centre, working closely with start-ups to provide opportunities for pathbreaking ideas.
“As we look towards the future of this blessed country, we stand aligned with UAE towards the “Next 50 years” plans and pledge to push forth on our commitment towards building a healthier nation through Affordable, Accessible Quality Healthcare through a hybrid brick and click model.”
Earlier this year, around 100 frontline medical professionals, volunteers, government entities and supporting organisations were honoured by Aster DM Healthcare and the Consulate General of India for their relentless efforts over the last two months which helped in the successful recovery of more than 1,500 Covid-19 patients who were asymptomatic or mild to moderately ill.
Frontline warriors and volunteers from two Al Warsan isolation facilities were feted.
The Aster Volunteers event saw a special note being delivered by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare and Vipul, Consul General of India in the UAE. The felicitation was done by Mohammed Matar, Director, Dubai Health Authority; Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare; Jobilal Vavachan, CEO, Aster Clinics & Aster Retail and T.J Wilson, Executive Director & Group Head Governance & Corporate Affairs.
Aster Volunteers, the global CSR programme of Aster DM Healthcare, played a crucial role in supporting this facility through the provision of internal and external volunteers who helped with the management of the facility, delivery of treatment protocol, supported by Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services team in transferring 450+ positives case to and from various Covid-19 care and isolation facilities in association with
Dubai Cooperation of Ambulance Services. This is among the numerous initiatives that had been introduced to help the community cope with Covid-19 in the UAE like mass screenings in congested areas, free teleconsultations by medical professionals, awareness and educational activities and #Feedthehungry programme that provided 6,707 food and ration kits to people in the UAE who have lost their jobs, impacting 300,000 lives in the process. Aster had also dedicated two of its facilities under Aster and Medcare as designated Covid-19 treatment centres in partnership with DHA and brought in 88 medical professionals from its facilities in India to join the Dubai government’s fight against Covid-19.