Under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City, the UAE Ministry of Health celebrated the implementation of the UAE’s initiative to support safe usage of syringes in developing countries. The celebration was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai in presence of the ministry’s senior officials and representatives of the World Health Organization.
Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the Ministry of Health and Ambassador Mohammed Jawaad, the Director of Foreign Assistance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ambassadors of Nepal and Tanzania presented a memorial for HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein in honor of Her role in supporting healthcare locally and globally. HE Shaima Al Zarooni, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Humanitarian City received the award on behalf of Her Royal Highness.
The International Humanitarian City ( IHC) played a major role in the success of this initiative and Dr. Al Amiri appraised the support extended by the charities, medical companies and pharmaceutical factories in the United Arab Emirates which have contributed a grant of (1,247.803) AED to support this initiative.
Dr. Amin Al-Amiri, in remarks at the event, stressed that it is the responsibility of all healthcare workers, employers and the governments to ensure safe and appropriate use of injections. The prevention of bloodborne pathogen transmission and other adverse events associated with injections will require improved collaboration between organizations and individuals sharing a common interest in attaining this goal.
He added that statistics of the World Health Organization reveal that about 16 billion injections are used annually in the developing countries while 70% of these injections are given with reused syringes and needles.