Department of Health, Abu Dhabi - Government Hero of the Year

Company: Department of Health, Abu Dhabi
Company Description: Department of health of Abu Dhabi is the regulator and overall responsible organization for healthcare and life science in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. it has two main entities under one chairman, the department of health and the abu dhabi public health center. the organization ensure the care provided for its 3 million population is of the highest caliber and drive the overall healthcare strategy.
Nomination Category: COVID-19 Response Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Government Hero of the Year

Nomination Title: HE Abdulla Al Hamed, as the government hero of the year

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed Chairman of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, acting as a role model and through his role, specialty and personality HE led by example and empathy to get their best: he inspired, led, and worked with all levels to achieve one the best responses to Covid-19 pandemic globally. HE vision of where the first outbreak in china was heading, and his insistence, drive and ability to align on preparing and taking decisive actions early as a healthcare sector and as Abu Dhabi was pivotal in ensuring a flattened curve in the early phase of the pandemic. This allowed the Healthcare system in Abu Dhabi to not face what the majority of global healthcare systems faced in terms of shortage in PPEs* beds and manpower coupled with prolonged and multiple lockdowns (Abu Dhabi did not have a single full day lockdown throughout pandemic). This was by constant drive to make sure that people lives, and wellbeing comes first in any decision making. He led through the approach of focusing resources on prevention; providing the best treatment if a person get sick and installing a culture of collaboration, collaboration and collaboration internally and externally. This was underpinned by science being the single source of truth. This is resulting in Abu Dhabi and UAE achieving many firsts that HE Abdulla have been personally leading including the highest number of tests per capita globally, one of the lowest infection and mortality rate, the highest digital teleconsultation and quarantine programme globally, the largest clinical trial in one place and the second highest number of vaccinated per capita globally. Another example, a specialized team has been assigned from the first day of response, to work independently to codify learning from teams in Abu Dhabi, nationally and globally to achieve better system that improve current and future response utilizing the latest in technology including AI (Abu Dhabi Pandemic Response Manual). Countless lives have been saved from dying or being infected because of HE Abdulla’s visions, drive, stakeholders and people’s management, adaptability and resilience. *PPEs: Personal Protective Equipment.