Abu Dhabi to host global emergency medicine meeting

The Department of Health- Abu Dhabi (DoH) is gearing up to host the 6th World Health Organization (WHO) Global Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Meeting from November 5 to 7 in Abu Dhabi, with global healthcare entities from 110 countries expected to participate.

The meeting is a platform to reveal the latest research and innovations in emergency preparedness systems and capabilities to enhance rapid and effective response to health emergencies at the local, regional, and global levels.

EMTs are a group organized and led by the World Health Organization (WHO) comprising of healthcare professionals who provide essential life-saving care to patients and community members affected by disasters, disease outbreaks, armed conflicts, and other health crises.

This year’s session provides a platform for all partners to review the achievements stipulated in the strategy, share and exchange knowledge and research, and mobilize collective efforts to achieve the strategy’s objectives.

Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, said that the Global Emergency Medical Teams Meeting is an important event on the global healthcare agenda, as it works to ensure that healthcare systems around the world are prepared for emergencies.

She expressed her aspiration to seize the opportunity to highlight the emirate’s high readiness to respond to various emergencies and crises, and to work with various partners to achieve the event’s objectives and enhance the capabilities of emergency medical teams worldwide.

Al Ghaithi stressed the Department of Health’s keenness to proactively deal with emerging emergencies by continuing to employ advanced technologies, honing the skills of its staff, and anticipating challenges.

DoH has established four specialized emergency medicine teams in the emirate to manage the operations of the psychological support hotline, disinfect and manage hazardous materials, infectious diseases, epidemics, and injuries. 

Director of the Department of Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness in Cities and Urban Areas at WHO, Dr. Nadert Emiroglu, said that the WHO Global Meeting of Emergency Medical Teams is the most important event for the growing network of emergency medical teams around the world and its partners, as providing a platform for collective action and unification of efforts contributes to strengthening the capabilities of medical teams globally and their potential for rapid intervention towards a world that is more prepared to respond to emergencies.

With the increasing frequency and complexity of public health emergencies, including those related to climate change, the issue of building preparedness, response and resilience for various health emergencies has become more important than ever.

She added that this global meeting in Abu Dhabi is the first of its kind in the region and represents a unique opportunity to highlight the innovations, practical steps and scope of cooperation needed to achieve the goals of the Emergency Medical Teams Strategy 2030.