ARRAY OF INITIATIVES FROM THUMBAY GROUP PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN COMBATING COVID-19 IN UAE

In support of UAE government’s fight against Covid-19, the Thumbay Group has conducted several educational and healthcare awareness programs during the last 10 months benefiting more than 100,000 professionals and general public. The strategy combines technology utilization, safety precautions, and awareness programs, training and confidence-building, in addition to discounted treatments, diagnostic tests and pharmacy essentials. The measures aim to support the UAE Government’s policies and in alignment with the government directives in this regard.

“As a responsible business group, our efforts aim to instill confidence and awareness among our employees, customers and other businesses so that they are better prepared to ensure their own safety and support the fight against this global pandemic. We thank the government for its various initiatives to mitigate the effect of the Coronavirus threat on UAE businesses, residents and visitors,” said Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group. 

The Group has further dedicated Thumbay Hospital Dubai and Thumbay Hospital Ajman housing 250 beds for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, besides two clinics which were converted into Covid-19 Testing Centers. Moreover, sample collection centers have been set up at all Thumbay Hospitals and Clinics located at Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah. The Group has also played a vital role in fighting the pandemic by conducting 3500 Covid-19 tests daily and is doing Anti-Body Test only in the Northern Emirates. All clinics and hospitals are conducting Telehealth Consultations and delivering chronic medications to homes.

The awareness program comprised several measures including a unique Covid 19 Control Officer (CCO) Training Program organized by Gulf Medical University where in 36 students and 15 faculty members from constituent colleges were trained. They were explained the pathogenesis of the COVID 19 infection, the national guidelines on clinical management and treatment of Covid 19 followed by contact tracing for Covid 19 positive cases. Every college has a faculty in charge as a Covid Control Officer, who guides the student volunteers and leads and implements Covid Protocols at the university and its teaching sites, including hospitals. Moreover, 35,000 people benefited from the Online Course to fight Covid-19 and were certified to fight the virus and be champion. 

In addition, 26 students at Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, volunteered to support the fight against the global pandemic that included students form the clinical years of various programs under the College of Medicine, College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing. They represent 12 different nationalities. The university has also set up a Free DPI testing Center to benefit the students, faculty and staff at regular intervals. Student interns are volunteering in Covid Testing being conducted at Thumbay Labs, under authorization by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). More than 2000 people have benefited from this testing.

At the community level, Thumbay Group has organized more than 40 online awareness programs by constituent colleges of the university benefiting over 27,000 health professionals and general public. Topics included Diagnostics, Biosafety, PCR Testing, Infection Control and Prevention, Clinical care of severe acute respiratory infection, Post Covid Implication in Healthcare Settings, Communication, Social media and Covid-19 and correct usage of personal protective equipment. Besides these, they were taught about care for the Covid patient, Infection Prevention and Control for Nurses, Role of Physical therapy in Covid19 and Respiratory care for physiotherapists.

Thumbay University Hospital offers telehealth services for patients to access round-the-clock consultations, medicines and diagnostic tests from home services including follow-up consultations, report reviews, home-delivery of medicines and diagnostic sample collections from home. All Frontline workers, faculty, staff and students have been vaccinated in various centers of Thumbay Healthcare Division. All Thumbay Healthcare Centers are providing vaccines to residents as per directions of the Ministry.

Open and effective communication is at the center of Thumbay Group’s efforts in creating awareness and preparedness against the COVID-19 threat. The staff and patients and their families are regularly instructed on the importance of sanitization, hand-washing techniques, social distancing, and other precautionary measures. 

Research:

GMU faculty has been in the forefront in publishing scientific articles in leading scientific journals. Some of the publications are listed below

• COVID-19 outbreak containment poises on the sensitivity and specificity of the quick COVID-19 tests.
• Improving Health Literacy Critical to optimize Global Telemedicine During COVID -19.
• Case Fatality Rates of COVID-19 Across the Globe – Are the current Draconian Measures Justified? (Accepted for Publication)