UAE medical convoys to treat children and elderly in Africa

ABU DHABI // UAE doctors have begun a humanitarian mission in several African countries, providing medical treatment for children and the elderly.

The Zayed Giving medical convoys will cover areas in Sudan, Egypt, Tanzania, Mauritania and Morocco, under the supervision of volunteer doctors in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, reported Wam, the state news agency.

The Saudi-German Hospital, Dar Al Ber Society and the UAE’s community volunteering programme are also participating in the effort.

The convoys will provide diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and preventive programmes for children and the elderly through mobile clinics and field hospitals.

The UAE is a leader in international humanitarian volunteer medical work, said Dr Adel Al Shamery, executive director of the Zayed Giving Initiative and head of the team of UAE doctors.

This work, in keeping with the values set by the late Sheikh Zayed, Founding Father of the UAE, has become a model for other countries, said Dr Al Shamery, who added that volunteer work is a defining characteristic of Emiratis.

He said the programmes will set a qualitative leap through the adoption of “innovative ideas and initiatives that work effectively to alleviate the suffering of poor patients”.

Last month, the UAE declared 2017 as the Year of Giving to promote and nurture goodwill and charity in the country.

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