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UAE leads Middle East in handling of Covid-19 pandemic, says Sheikh Mohammed

Dubai - The UAE has won several accolades this year for setting new benchmarks for the world in the fight against Covid-19 and confronting the challenges head on.

Adding another feather to its cap, the UAE has clinched the top position in the Middle East and 14th in the world in handling the Covid-19 pandemic efficiently, according to a global ranking.

As part of the Global Soft Power Index — the world’s most comprehensive research study on perceptions of nation brands — Brand Finance asked 75,000 respondents from the general public and 750 from specialist audiences about the handling of Covid-19 by 105 countries worldwide.

The UAE ranked the highest in the survey across the Middle East, and 14th globally, with a net score of +33 per cent, pointing out that the country handled the pandemic better than its neighbours, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with net scores of +29 per cent and +24 per cent respectively.

Sharing the news on the research report released by Global Soft Power Index issued by Brand Finance on Twitter, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, hailed the nation’s efforts in combatting the virus.

He tweeted: “According to a survey conducted by the Global Soft Power Index issued by Brand Finance from Britain that was done through a questionnaire sent out to 105 countries around the world... the UAE ranked first in the Middle East and 14th in the world in the efficiency of dealing with the Covid pandemic..”

Expressing his happiness, Sheikh Mohammed said that the acknowledgement by the Global Soft Power Index, which is known for conducting the world’s most comprehensive research study, is a clear evidence of the UAE’s efficiency and good performance.

The UAE has won several accolades this year for setting new benchmarks for the world in the fight against Covid-19 and confronting the challenges head on.

Previously the country ranked first in the Arab world and ninth in the world in the safety index for Covid-19, according to studies and reports prepared by Forbes magazine.

In April, the UAE ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for coronavirus treatment, according to a survey by the Deep Knowledge Group. The group considered 200 data points for each country and assessed countries based on their efforts to monitor and control the spread of the virus, treatment of patients, testing and trying out various vaccines and treatments.

Lauding the efforts of the UAE for its distinguished response to the coronavirus pandemic, Sherif Beshara, CEO of the American Hospital Dubai, said apart from implementation of the national sterilisation campaign, intensifying awareness campaigns on hygiene and social distancing, the UAE has also achieved global leadership in the number of laboratory tests for the population.

Among the many measures that seek to contain the spread of the virus were application of isolation and quarantine programmes for people coming into the country, and drafting recovery periods that range from 15-25 days, with a possible extension of up to 35 days, if required, Beshara said.

He also commended the multiple benefits that have accrued due to the continuous cooperation between the private and public sector health institutions in the UAE.

“Over the past months, we have increasingly seen the importance of harnessing the strengths of artificial intelligence in healthcare,” he said.

“Analysing big data in order to ensure the development of smart treatment systems, developing preventive systems through the pursuit of vigilant health system that monitor diseases, epidemics, and their stages, are of immeasurable value in improving the outcomes for environmental and occupational health,” he said.

saman@khaleejtimes.com