For over a year, Seha has been undergoing a transformation that will shape a modern, progressive healthcare network fit for the next 50 years, delivering healthcare excellence to the UAE community. Through this period, our teams have adopted an agile mindset, learning new ways of working and infusing innovation through their services, while keeping patient-centricity paramount.
This served us extremely well as Seha was once again entrusted to serve the nation at the onset of Covid-19. As the UAE's largest healthcare network, we were able to mobilise teams with scale and at record speed across the country to deliver outstanding care to patients. Our frontline heroes led the charge, supported by the wider Seha family, demonstrating resilience and a high sense of duty, navigating an ever-evolving situation. Our rich legacy in the UAE, backed by the vision of our leaders, held us in good stead during this time.
As the world slowed down, it was evident that healthcare services will be instrumental in bringing lives back to normal and directly support the engines of our economy. Our mission was not just about stopping the spread of this virus, but about ensuring the health of the nation so that we could collectively emerge stronger.
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Our resilience was on display as we established 20-plus drive-through screening facilities, one of the first countries in the world to introduce this service. Seha's frontline workers along with its partners conducted 6.2 million of the over 20.5 million tests completed in the UAE since the beginning of the year.
We recognised the need to be prepared and to manage the load across our hospitals and limit in-person visitation. In the process, we opened three field hospitals and introduced the telemedicine virtual outpatient clinics, medication delivery services and child vaccination drive-through services for safe and seamless continuation of care.
The ability to deliver extraordinary care at such a critical time for our nation has come on the back of over a decade of service guided by Seha's vision to put the population we serve first, while adopting new trends and investing in innovations that will transform healthcare services. Seha remains prepared for the next set of inevitable challenges, while maintaining quality as a top priority. During the pandemic, our valuable workforce demonstrated continuous commitment to providing optimal patient care through continuous quality improvement despite stretched resources at times. Our frontline heroes rose to the challenge in this unprecedented era.
As home to diverse global communities, the UAE has placed a high importance on ensuring a strong healthcare ecosystem. The nation's health budget has grown by over 26 per cent between 2016 and 2020, which is indicative of the high priority placed on the quality of services available to citizens and residents. So, while much of the world's economy continues to be under pressure, the UAE has been able to open major business sectors including hospitality, tourism, real estate and more.
The year 2021 will see us accelerate our transformation journey. As we continue to evolve the country’s healthcare sector, we also need to build capacity and enhance capabilities. While the UAE has consistently attracted the best of healthcare talent, it is important that we continue to nurture and grow the Emirati professionals within the industry and invest in the next generation to lead the future of healthcare in the country.
A major part of the sector's future is embedded in advances in healthcare techniques and technologies, and we need to keep up with changing expectations and new possibilities. Technology has also fast-tracked the use of telemedicine facilities, with the Harvard Business Review reporting a staggering 2,000 per cent increase in use in the US between January and June 2020 because of Covid-19. While many of us are already able to source our vitals on our smartphones and watches, soon artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and blockchain technology will shape the new normal for our industry.
The UAE’s response to Covid-19 has been an example to the world – showcasing the importance of healthcare investment, policy decisions and having high-calibre professionals. None of this would have been possible without collective efforts, whether through partnership with government, collaboration and innovation across teams or the support of the community. The solidarity witnessed has been underpinned by initiatives and committees launched in co-operation with multiple ministries including health, education and economy, to ensure that impact on day-to-day life is minimised.
The dynamic nature of the current situation has required us all to rise to new challenges, and I am humbled by the response of our Seha teams and our partners. Their devotion to combat the virus has been an inspiration, and it is a remarkable effort in support of the community during this pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must remain as a unified front and treat one another with kindness and respect so that we can care for many as possible in the time ahead.
As we enter the 50th year of the UAE’s formation, we can look back with pride at what the nation has achieved in this period – and in 2020 in particular. The strength demonstrated and resurgence around us are testaments to the UAE’s commitment to unlocking only the best outcomes for patients who seek care in the country.
At Seha, we will continue to champion world-class services and remain the backbone of health care in the country.
Dr Gareth Goodier is the group chief executive of Seha
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Racecard
7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
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Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
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Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
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Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
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- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
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The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
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The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Scoreline
Liverpool 4
Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mane 61', Salah 68'
Manchester City 3
Sane 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gundogan 90' 1
