The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, announced on Sunday that it conducted over 40,000 additional COVID-19 tests using state-of-the-art medical testing methods.

In a statement, the Ministry affirmed its aim to expand the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP detected 731 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases in the UAE to 23,358. According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities and are in a stable condition and receiving the necessary care.

MoHAP also announced six deaths as a result of COVID-19 complications. The total number of deaths in the country has reached 220, it added.

The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished current COVID-19 patients a speedy and full recovery.

MoHAP also noted an additional 581 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 8,512.

It called on the public to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to social distancing protocols and preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of all.

His Excellency Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, in context to World Family Doctor Day, which comes on the 19th of May pointed out that family medicine is one of the international quality standards, through which the cultural and health level of countries is measured and assessed, thanks to its pivotal role in health care systems around the world. 

He commended the efforts of family doctors in supporting and assisting their fellow doctors on the frontline of defense to fight COVID-19 and to provide the necessary health care, which contributed to the increased recovery rates.

Al-Rand added: “Although the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, are focused on fighting COVID-19 pandemic as a national health priority, it did not overlook the development of the operational plans to ensure the continuity of its various health services without interruption. One of the key services provided is the family doctor one, due to its pivotal role in preventive and curative healthcare and as a central point in the health system.”

Dr. Aisha Suhail, Director of the Primary Health Care Department, said: “Family doctors are the mainstay of the holistic and patient-centered health care to achieve the goal of universal health coverage. Since the beginning of this year, the key role of family doctors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic has become more apparent, by supporting and assisting the frontline of defense and providing effective health care to the community.”

She added: “While the world is facing the challenges posed by COVID-19 in health, social, and economic fields, the contributions of family doctors were supportive and impactful on managing the health situation.”

Suhail thanked family doctors for their dedication, commitment, courage, and relentless efforts in maintaining people's health and saving patients’ lives, wishing them and the medical cadres good health and the speedy recovery for patients.

World Family Doctor Day is being held this year under the theme “Family doctors on the front line”, has an additional impetus as it coincides with the challenges posed by the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). In this respect, the UAE has been at the forefront of the countries worldwide, thanks to the rapid response of its government system response by harnessing all logistical and human resources. Also, the efforts of the health authorities and sectors have been obvious, while family doctors teamed up with their fellows on the frontline of defense to provide the necessary health care.