Dubai announces new crisis management office for health emergencies

Dubai health

In a significant move aimed at enhancing public health security, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has announced the establishment of a Disaster and Crisis Management Office within its organizational structure. This transformative initiative underscores the emirate's commitment to bolstering its readiness and capabilities to effectively manage health emergencies and crises.

The primary mission of the newly established office is to elevate the health sector's preparedness and response mechanisms, equipping it to address a wide range of emergencies effectively. This includes developing and managing an integrated emergency, crisis, and disaster management system to safeguard community health security.

The announcement of this groundbreaking transformation coincided with the DHA's participation in the International Conference and Exhibition for Relief and Development (Dihad), a prestigious event gathering leaders, scientists, doctors, experts, and specialists from the UAE and beyond. This underscores Dubai's proactive approach to global health challenges and its commitment to collaboration and innovation in health security.

Under the leadership of Dr. Khalid Abdullah Lootah, a seasoned public health consultant, and head of the Disaster Management Office, the new office will leverage state-of-the-art infrastructure and internationally accredited programs to enhance its capabilities. This includes the Operations and Control Center, equipped with advanced electronic and intelligent systems for efficient disaster and crisis management.

Furthermore, the Dubai Disaster and Crisis Medicine Programme, launched recently, has already attained international accreditation from esteemed institutions such as the European Centre for Disaster Medicine and the American College of Surgeons. This program aims to empower 10,000 government and private hospital leaders, medical professionals, technical support staff, and nursing personnel in Dubai over the next five years, thereby fortifying the emirate's health security framework.

The Crisis Management Office will undertake a range of specialized functions and responsibilities to fulfill its mandate effectively. These include enhancing Dubai's global standing in preparedness indicators, developing and managing comprehensive emergency response systems, and elevating the health sector's readiness to tackle catastrophes and crises proactively.

Moreover, the office will focus on implementing preventive and proactive strategies, delivering specialized training and qualifications to healthcare professionals, and conducting scientific research and forecasting studies to anticipate and mitigate future health threats effectively.

In essence, the establishment of the Disaster and Crisis Management Office underscores Dubai's proactive stance in safeguarding public health and reinforcing its resilience against emerging health challenges. By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, internationally recognized programs, and strategic initiatives, Dubai is poised to emerge as a global leader in health security and crisis management.