Covid-19: 88 ICU nurses from India arrive in the UAE to assist efforts

The first batch of 88 ICU nurses arrived in Dubai from India on Saturday night to support the UAE’s efforts against the Covid-19 virus.

The initiative was undertaken by UAE-based Aster DM Healthcare along with the Indian Consulate and UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Among the medics are 60 nurses trained in critical care who were working at Aster’s quaternary care hospitals in India, a statement said.

The nurses arrived in Dubai on Saturday night on a flight from Bangalore.

From the other end, nurses from India all set to land in Dubai tonight. India-UAE cooperation continues… pic.twitter.com/nskPwjnNJV

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) May 9, 2020

The move comes as the UAE has boosted capacity by opening new field hospitals across the country to treat Covid-19 patients.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has set-up a 3,000 bed field hospital in Dubai World Trade Centre to treat mild to moderate cases.

Humaid Al Qutami, director-general of the DHA said: “We have built sufficient capacity to tackle the situation in case the need arises and we are closely working with healthcare authorities in the UAE to ensure we provide the highest standard of care to Covid-19 patients in the country.

“We are deeply grateful to all frontline workers including all medical professionals who are working tirelessly to serve the community.”

Vipul, consul general of India added: “It is yet another example of strong India UAE bilateral ties and reflects deep understanding of problems faced by expatriates as well as UAE nationals in UAE.”

India UAE partnership is beyond political or economic spheres…it is more people to people connect and understanding each other..that can best be understood in testing times of COVID 19 @WAMNEWS_ENG @IndembAbuDhabi @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @UAEembassyIndia https://t.co/W17BqwJ20C

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) May 9, 2020

“The initiative reflects the trusted relationship that exist between India and the UAE and the deep commitment shared by the two nations to support one another. It is all the more pertinent during such unprecedented crisis,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, founding chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare.