UAE makes it easier to bring medics into country during emergencies

Bin Wariqah Service aims to streamline procedures and cut red tape

Emirati officials present roses to members of an Indian medical team upon their arrival at Dubai International Airport. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport, to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

An Emirati official presents a rose to an Indian health worker, part of an 80 person medical team, upon their arrival at Dubai International Airport. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

A member of an Indian medical team is tested upon the team's arrival at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

A member of an Indian medical team registers upon her arrival at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

Members of an Indian medical team arrive at Dubai International Airport to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

The UAE is making it easier to bring medics and frontline staff into the country during emergencies.

A new initiative aims to streamline procedures and cut red tape.

The Bin Wariqah Service is also intended to improve co-operation between departments and agencies.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, signed an agreement between his ministry and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Department of Health Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.

Last year, the UAE brought in doctors from abroad to help battle the first wave of Covid-19 cases that put pressure on healthcare systems.

A flight carrying 105 medics from India landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport on a specially chartered Etihad flight in May, 2020.

They were enlisted by VPS Healthcare, the Indian embassy, the Department of Health, and the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

In the past month, doctors wanting to return to the UAE from India have had to book seats on charter flights to navigate the flight ban that came into effect on April 24.

Doctors who are UAE residents spent up to Dh20,000 to get a seat on a charter jet from Delhi or Mumbai.

Only UAE citizens, diplomats, passengers on business planes and golden card visa holders are exempt from the ban.

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