The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, is preparing to host the sixth World Health Organisation Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting from 5th to 7th November 2024, in Abu Dhabi.
This significant event will reinforce the Emirate’s position as a healthcare hub, bringing together prominent leaders, policymakers, experts and healthcare professionals in the field of health emergency preparedness and response. Participants will share knowledge, review recent emergencies and responses, and take collective action to advance the EMT 2030 strategy, particularly in strengthening national, regional and global capacities for surge responses to health emergencies.
As the host city, Abu Dhabi will welcome global healthcare bodies and humanitarian organisations from over 110 countries to share knowledge and foster dialogue on the critical and pressing issue of strengthening capabilities and systems for global health emergency preparedness, resilience and r
esponse. The event will also serve as a platform to showcase the latest research and innovations for Emergency Medical Teams and other surge response capacities, enabling rapid and effective responses to health emergencies at local, regional and global levels.
Emergency Medical Teams are organised groups of health professionals that provide essential, life-saving care to people and communities affected by disasters, disease outbreaks, armed conflicts, and other health emergencies. EMTs are crucial in delivering timely and quality healthcare during emergencies and in strengthening the capacity of national healthcare systems to lead and coordinate responses.
A key priority of the upcoming EMT Global Meeting is to advance the EMT 2030 Strategy, galvanising collective action to strengthen national EMT and other surge response capacities in all countries and regions, and thereby better protecting populations against health emergencies.
The three-day EMT Global Meeting will include high-level strategic discussio
ns, regional meetings, technical sessions, research presentations, workshops and an exhibition showcasing EMT and partner innovations for global health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated: ‘The EMT Global Meeting is a crucial fixture on the global health agenda, ensuring that healthcare systems worldwide are prepared for emergencies. Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the sixth instalment of this important event is a testament to its status as a hub for prominent global health leaders and practitioners, with the common goal of exchanging knowledge and expertise. The event showcases Abu Dhabi as a pioneer in emergency preparedness and response. We are committed to convening with all partners in the global healthcare community to advance the agenda of promoting EMTs and the EMT Initiative globally.’
Al Ghaithi added: ‘The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has been proactively addressing emerging emergencies by constan
tly deploying breakthrough technologies, upskilling the workforce, and anticipating rising challenges. We look forward to sharing our experiences and learning from others on how we can continue to enhance our emergency medicine capabilities.’
Abu Dhabi has made great achievements in establishing health emergency infrastructure with the capabilities to respond urgently and effectively to health crises such as disease outbreaks and natural disasters. DoH has established four specialised emergency medical teams in Abu Dhabi to lead operations in areas such as mental health hotline support, sterilisation, handling hazardous materials, infectious diseases, and trauma injuries. This is a great demonstration of the DoH’s commitment to advancing a globally leading, intelligent healthcare system that is built on resilience and innovation.
Dr. Nedret Emiroglu, Director of Country Readiness Strengthening Department in the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said: ‘The EMT Global Meeting is the peak gathering for the eve
r-expanding global EMT network and partners providing the platform for collectively acting towards stronger workforce and surge capacities for a world better prepared to respond to emergencies. With the increasing frequency, complexity, and intensity of public health emergencies, including climate-related ones, strengthening EMTs and other surge capacities has become even more critical.
This Global Meeting in Abu Dhabi marks the first in the region and will be a unique opportunity to highlight innovation, strategies and the collaborative steps needed to see to fruition the goal and objectives of the EMT 2030 Strategy.’
The EMT Global Meetings have been hosted across five countries over the years, creating a growing global network with increasing reach and impact. Significantly, this will be the first EMT Global Meeting to be held in this region (the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region). The last Global Meeting in Yerevan in 2023 marked the launch of the landmark EMT 2030 Strategy. This Global Meeting will seek
to advance this Strategy to address the issues of climate change and health emergencies.
Source: Emirates News Agency
