Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, Chairman of the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre and Vice Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and Dr. Muna Tahlak, CEO-Latifa Hospital formally inaugurated the 50 bed critical care Aster Hospital in Muhaisnah, Dubai, UAE in the presence of Ms. Alisha Moopen- Deputy Managing Director at Aster DM Healthcare, Mr. T.J Wilson- Executive Director, Group Head Governance & Corporate Affairs at Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Sherbaz Bichu- CEO of Aster Hospitals UAE, other dignitaries and staff.

The new facility will provide treatment to COVID-19 patients, in addition to other Aster and Medcare Hospitals in UAE. Aster Hospital Al Qusais and Medcare Multi-Specialty Hospital, Al Safa are designated centres by Dubai Health Authority for Covid-19 treatment. With this new facility, Aster DM Healthcare strengthens its presence in UAE, with 4 Aster Hospitals and 4 Medcare Hospitals.

Commenting on the occasion H.E. Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said, “The public and private healthcare sector in Dubai have shown exemplary partnership especially for managing the Covid-19 pandemic and operating round-the-clock to provide optimum care to all patients. We are thankful to Aster for the continued commitment to undertake all possible measures to control the pandemic as well as add capacity to treat critical care cases at Muhaisnah. This hospital will provide accessible care to the people in the area.”

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “The 50-bed Aster Hospital in Muhaisnah has all the facilities available to be a secondary/ tertiary care hospital manned by our experienced medical professionals. It is all the more important at the present juncture as it can take care of the requirement of Covid-19 patients who need advanced care including ventilators. It will also address the requirement of screening and testing of residents of Muhaisnah to contain the infection. We are thankful to the UAE Government, Dubai Health Authority and other government officials who supported in the development of the facility and we remain committed to provide our best to UAE’s fight against Covid-19,”

To be able to provide advanced healthcare to COVID-19 patients in UAE, the starting of Aster Muhaisnah Hospital was fast-tracked with the support of authorities to commence operation. With this new facility, Aster Hospitals in UAE now offers a combined bed capacity of 310 across four locations in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has announced that the total number of COVID-19 recoveries has reached 17,932 following an additional 386 recoveries.

The Ministry also noted that in line with its plans to increase COVID-19 testing throughout the country for the early detection of infections, particularly among those who had prior contact with infected individuals, it has conducted 37,000 additional tests.

Testing resulted in the detection of 661 new cases among various nationalities, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 34,557. The newly announced cases are in a stable condition and undergoing the necessary medical treatment.

The Ministry also announced the death of two patients due to complications arising from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 264. The deceased suffered from other chronic health issues.

The Ministry offered its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to all patients.

MoHAP called upon the public to adhere to health guidelines and instructions from the relevant authorities, especially those related to physical distancing, for the sake of the health and safety of all.