Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, CEO, Mubadala Health • Interview
The smooth cooperation between various health entities in the UAE helped the country to respond quickly and efficiently to COVID-19 and prepare for future waves.
What were the main characteristics that ensured Mubadala Health’s readiness for the initial impact of COVID-19?
Nothing gives me greater pride than talking about Mubadala Health’s experience over the past year, despite it being extremely challenging and emotionally stressful. The outcome was phenomenal! I have never seen Abu Dhabi’s healthcare facilities collaborate as well as they have in the past few months. People have always viewed Mubadala Health and SEHA as competitors; I do not mind us being viewed this way in the best interests of the patient, but what is important is that we were actually complementing each other during this pandemic, which was extremely beneficial for our community. We are proud at Mubadala Health to have played a key role in helping the UAE effectively address the pandemic. Our response strategy stemmed from the diversity of Mubadala Health’s individual and collective capacities and positioning in the community. The various players within the healthcare sector complemented each other presenting an efficient and agile system capable of anticipating needs and delivering innovative solutions during the pandemic.
I was asked what would happen if more waves hit and I said we have never been as ready as we are now. We have done it once through Mubadala Health’s strategy and facilities, and we have learned from the challenges we faced. We have also learned from what we did well, as we were extremely agile, nimble, and responsive. It was emotionally draining but truly heart-warming from an outcomes perspective. We have been working very closely with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Health, and the National Crisis and Emergency management Authority (NCEMA), ensuring we deliver the needed response to the evolving needs of our community.
How do you rate the sector’s response from the beginning of the pandemic until now?
I could not be more thankful to the people and to the leadership of this country, and specifically to the key entities that Mubadala Health worked with, such as the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. We had medication that was supposed to be flown from the US into the UAE to treat the sickest COVID-19 patients, and usually it would take a month to six months to arrive, and another month to clear. With the immense support of the Ministry of Health, we managed to bring these medications to the UAE within 48 hours, and we were using them within 72 hours. We worked closely with the leadership at the ministry to charter flights and ensure medication is immediately transferred to our hospitals as soon as it landed. I had regular conversations with the undersecretary, as well as key figures at the Department of Health, Ministry of Health, and SEHA . These stakeholders worked hand in hand with us to address the issues and tackle any obstacles we were facing. I have never seen this kind of response in my life and it shows that during difficult times you learn a lot about each other. We are more united now as one group. The pandemic did not necessarily present challenges, but opportunities. These may not have been financial, but tangible opportunities that showed us how we can better work together moving forward, should we face another wave.
What kind of collaborations did you have with the private sector?
Mubadala Investment Company launched the #WeAreDedicated campaign, encouraging all of its assets to work together and with external stakeholders for solutions to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Mubadala Health was working with multiple entities such as New York University Abu Dhabi, for example, to use its 3D printing and core technology platform capabilities to meet the growing demand for critical medical supplies. This pandemic brought out the best in people as some started asking what they could do to help, and this collaboration was an outcome of such initiatives that we definitely benefited from.