The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has recently taken part in the BIO International Convention (BIO 2022), organized in San Diego, USA, by the Biotechnology Innovation Organisation (BIO).
During the international event, the ministry reviewed its unique experience in successfully managing and addressing the Covid-19 pandemic based on flexible, proactive, and swift measures.
MoHAP stressed that the wise directives of the UAE leadership and its unlimited support extended to the healthcare sector played a crucial role in combating the pandemic.
"The UAE pays utmost attention to protecting the health of its people, considering it a top national priority." "With that in mind, it has indefatigably supported the national healthcare sector and harnessed all potential and resources to protect the community, which has exceptionally cooperated with the government's efforts," the ministry said.
Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP, led the ministry’s delegation to the event, which was attended by high-ranking government delegations and prominent medical and pharmaceutical companies from several countries.
Speaking during the conference, Al Amiri said that the UAE has been the first country in the Middle East to license the Covid-19 vaccine and has produced it locally.
"With 14 Covid-19 vaccines licensed, the UAE has been one of the world's best countries in terms of granting marketing approvals. The country has excelled in accelerating marketing approvals for Covid-19 vaccines as well as other innovative Covid-19 treatments and life-saving medicines. Once approved in the country of origin, the UAE became the world's second country to grant marketing approval for such medicines "Al Amiri continued.
He referred to the inspirational quote by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, when he said ‘La Tsheloon Hamm’, the Arabic phrase, which means ‘Don’t worry’, Food and medicines are redline. " These simple words have served as a catalyst for the government entities to step up their efforts to deal with the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis effectively and proactively, as well as a reassurance to the local community. This is how the UAE has effectively dealt with the pandemic, "Al Amiri further said.
He stressed that the UAE's unique experience in managing the pandemic demonstrated that innovation and cooperation play an integral role in developing the country's capabilities and providing a solid foundation for investing in the skills and knowledge of its workforce to better handle crises and emergencies and keep pace with continuous development across all sectors.
Asserting that pharmaceutical companies played a key role in quickly developing effective treatments and vaccines to combat the pandemic, Al Amiri said the ministry has collaborated with innovative companies to acquire and supply necessary medicines and vaccines once approved by the relevant authorities.
He went on to say that the UAE has made a paradigm shift in medicine regulation by accelerating necessary regulatory procedures for granting marketing approvals and issuing forward-looking decisions, thereby encouraging innovation.