Coronavirus: UAE's Covid-19 volunteer force to receive nursing training

The course includes practical training in basics like how to check vital signs

UAE Volunteers are taught nursing skills to assist healthcare workers amid the coronavirus outbreak. Courtesy: Ministry of Community Development

Members of the UAE's volunteer force will receive training in nursing skills to support healthcare workers fighting Covid-19 in the field.

The intensive course includes theory and practical training which will teach basics such as measuring vital signs, and resuscitation.

Participants will undergo a test to assess their skills and obtain certificates from the training authority.

It will be open to some of the thousands of volunteers who have offered their time to help the country curb the spread of the virus.

The pilot phase involved 150 volunteers, which will be increased to 1,000.

“This volunteer training is a response to the current situation in the country and to the needs of experts on the field,” said Obaid Al Shamsi, director general of National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority.

“The training will equip 1,000 volunteers with basic skills to help the nursing staff, hospitals, and field units in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah in the pilot phase. The programme will continue to attract more volunteers as needed.”

In total, 150 volunteers will take part in the theory training, which will take place over two days and teach them basic information about Covid-19 and explain infection prevention, support and transportation, and medical waste management.

The practical training is available for 24 participants. It will be taught over four hours and will also cover rescue skills and the use of personal protective equipment.

Volunteers will be employed when and where they are needed.

A schedule will be prepared for the volunteers and their work progress will be monitored.

Volunteers could also be called on as medical staff assistants to help in crises after Covid-19.

The intensive programme was organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Public Health of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi.