MoHAP enlists Sharjah student volunteers to help combat COVID-19

The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is running a student volunteer programme with Sharjah's Training and Development Centre to support the medical sector's fight against COVID-19.

A total of 107 students from the American University of Sharjah are taking part in the month-long scheme.

The initiative is designed to strengthen young people's role in dealing with and curbing the social impact of pandemics.

They are also being trained in cardiovascular health and how to handle cardiac emergencies, to support the medical emergency services.

Dr Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Establishment said the programme aims to equip students with the necessary skills, guidelines and experience to deal with health crises, such as Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as the knowledge to help the wider community during the pandemic.

"This programme is one of a series of national awareness programmes and initiatives to curb the spread of coronavirus, help the community better understand heart diseases and how to prevent them. This would help increase the survival rate of heart attacks in the country and support the objectives of the National Index of Cardiovascular Diseases, in accordance with the National Agenda 2021 aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality," he added.

Al Serkal underlined the efficiency of the ambulance and emergency services in state hospitals and said the scheme will enhance them.

Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of Specialised Care Department, explained that the next stage of the programme will include other universities to boost students’ skills in how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also pointed out the importance of someone being able to administer early CPR in the first critical minutes for a patient before medical personnel arrive.

The initiative will also include training sessions on the national cardiovascular index and how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.