UAE, Sudan sign agreement for field hospital

Juba, Sudan, February 9, 2009 (WAM) - The UAE and Sudan signed yesterday an agreement for launching a specialised mobile hospital in south of Sudan.

Being launched in response to instructions by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, the hospital will deliver advanced curative and surgical services under the humanitarian and voluntary umbrella and act as a symbol of strong bilateral health cooperation.

''The hospital will make a qualitative leap in the standards of curative, preventive, surgical and training services, ''the minister said, commending the leading role the UAE plays in the international humanitarian works.

He explained the agreement provides for creating a joint team to develop a unified mechanism for boosting cooperation in health and health sciences through exchange of expertise and training in specialised surgery. Medical research and continued education will also come under the joint cooperation.

The two sides will also cooperate in the areas of world medical conferences and workshops dealing with primary healthcare, fighting and controlling chronic and contagious diseases. One area of focus will be a research work in malaria-hit regions in Sudan.

For his part, Dr. Al Shameri said the field hospital will house 15 beds and units for primary health care, intensive care, surgery and sterilization in addition to a pharmacy and labs.

''Operating in partnership with the health ministry of the host country, the health facility will run for 3 to 6 months to focus on treatment of underprivileged children and adults," he added.

He said the initiative was launched under directives by Sheikh Hamdan and support by Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.

The agreement, signed by Health Minister of Southern Sudan Dr Joseph Wang and Dr. Adel Al Shameri, Executive Director of Zayed Charity Initiative.