DHA launches ‘Dubai Disaster Medicine Programme’

Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) unveiled the “Dubai Disaster Medicine Programme”, a significant step towards fortifying the city’s healthcare readiness for potential emergencies. The initiative aims to boost the city’s capacity to respond to disasters, emergencies, and crises by adopting internationally recognized practices.

The programme, accredited by prestigious institutions like the European Centre for Disaster Medicine and the American College of Surgeons, seeks to standardize disaster medicine training and consolidate reliable information sources. It aims to enhance Dubai’s healthcare sector capabilities, ensuring the highest preparedness to tackle health crises or disasters while nurturing a culture of crisis management within the community.

Working in collaboration with the UAE’s Medical Preparedness and Response Programme, ‘Jaheziya’, the initiative aims to train healthcare professionals from both government and private sectors. Dr. Khaled Abdullah Lootah, a Public Health Consultant and Head of the Disaster Management Office at the DHA, emphasized the programme’s goal to enhance expertise in disaster medicine and crisis management.

The programme targets training a significant number of medical and nursing professionals, with plans to certify over 10,000 hospital leaders and healthcare professionals in the next five years. Training encompasses key areas crucial for effective healthcare service delivery, including emergency and disaster management, public health incident management, and preparedness for various hazards.

Dr. Adel Al Shamry Al Ajami, CEO of Jaheziya, hailed the programme as a significant advancement in building capacities for frontline healthcare workers, aligning with international standards. He praised DHA’s commitment to developing a highly trained healthcare workforce.

The launch event was attended by prominent healthcare professionals, including Professor Roberto Mastriviro and Dr. Adel Al Shamry Al Ajami. The programme has already commenced training, aiming to equip medical and administrative staff with the necessary skills to handle emergencies effectively. Through this initiative, Dubai aims to set global benchmarks in healthcare excellence and ensure the highest levels of public health security.

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Dubai Disaster Medicine Programme is about Dubai Disaster Medicine Programme