Day: July 6, 2022

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EGA to install highly-automated, multi-functional cranes in Jebel Ali

DUBAI, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) today announced the company is to install highly-automated, multi-functional overhead cranes in Jebel Ali in a step towards full automation of cranes used for reduction cell tending, and securing operations for decades ahead.

EGA is replacing 16 cranes that have completed their 25-year useful lives with just 14 new models that incorporate auto-positioning and advanced sensing capabilities.

The increased automation capabilities of the new cranes will improve safety, efficiency and reliability. The technology brings closer EGA’s future ambition of operating cranes remotely from a central control room and ultimately fully-autonomous crane operation.

EGA has contracted Fives, a French industrial engineering group, to supply the new cranes. The first new crane is expected to be delivered before the end of 2023, with all 14 new cranes in operation by the beginning of 2025.

Reduction cell tending cranes at EGA perform complex tasks, including anode replacement and metal tapping in a harsh environment with high heat and magnetism. Each crane weighs over 100 tonnes.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, and Sébastien Gauguier, Aluminium Division President of Fives Group, visited EGA’s potlines in Jebel Ali together to mark the start of the crane replacement project.

Bin Kalban said, “Pot tending cranes are the workhorses of any aluminium smelter, and driving automation offers significant potential to reduce risks for people and improve efficiency and cost. Our new cranes will boost automation in our potlines from the day they are installed, and we expect to make great progress in further automation during these cranes’ working lives.

“These cranes are an investment in the long-term robustness of our operations, and will help enable us to create value for many decades to come. Using technology to enhance operations is at the heart of EGA’s Industry 4.0 strategy.”

Gauguier stated, “Fives has worked with EGA since aluminium production began in the UAE in 1979, and we are pleased to continue to earn the trust of the largest’ premium aluminium’ producer in the world. Through our partnership with EGA, we will together lead the industry in crane automation in aluminium smelters.”

EGA has more than 80 reduction cell tending cranes across its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites in total.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Anwar Gargash receives British Minister of State for Asia and Middle East

DUBAI, Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, received today the British Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling.

During the meeting, Dr. Gargash and Milling discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and the United Kingdom in various fields and sectors to boost progress, prosperity, and development in their countries.

They also tackled the latest regional and international developments.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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DEWA achieves 98.1% in Dubai Digital Authority’s Instant Happiness Index until end of June 2022

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) scored 98.1% in the Dubai Government’s Instant Happiness Index by Dubai Digital Authority, until end of June 2022. For the past five years, DEWA has come first among large government organisations in Dubai Digital Authority’s Instant Happiness Index. In 2021, DEWA obtained more than 665,000 customer votes on all channels, achieving 97.9%, compared to 96.3% in 2020, ranking first among all entities that adopt the Instant Happiness Index. DEWA also scored more than 90% in the Happiness Index for the Government of Dubai customers, conducted by the Dubai Government Excellence Program 2021.

DEWA provides all its services round the clock through many digital channels and platforms. The Instant Happiness Index is available on all DEWA’s channels, including its website, smart app and self-service Customer Happiness Centres. The Instant Happiness Index is also available on all services for customers, contractors and consultants.

“At DEWA, we work according to the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by adopting international best practices to provide world-class government services. DEWA has adopted a primary goal within its strategy, which is ensuring the happiness of stakeholders and providing a seamless and unique experience for them. We monitor customer happiness levels on a daily basis and have put in place mechanisms for assessing the service experience in a live, direct and continuous manner. This feedback loop helps us constantly elevate the happiness levels of citizens, residents and visitors. We have also created an integrated framework for continuous improvement incorporating strong evaluation and follow-up mechanisms. This has enabled DEWA to set new global benchmarks in customer and society happiness,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD&CEO of DEWA.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA plays a leading role in implementing the Happiness Index in cooperation with Dubai Digital Authority, including measurement and follow-up mechanisms in a systematic manner. DEWA uses the results to develop its services and channels to enhance customer experience. This is done according to advanced mechanisms to communicate with customers, get their feedback to regularly review the services matrix, map their customer journey, as well as using quality monitoring systems in the provision of services following the Services Guide Customer Charter, and adopting a clear strategy in managing service channels. DEWA is also keen to listen to the ideas and feedback of customers and society in general to identify their needs. This helps DEWA develop innovative initiatives and creative ideas that contribute to achieving customer happiness and exceeding their expectations.

In 2021, DEWA achieved the first global position in implementing the requirements of the International Customer Experience Standard (ICXS) for the 3rd consecutive year. DEWA achieved the highest score worldwide of 100% in the updated International Customer Experience Standard (ICXS2019). The certificate, provided by the International Customer Experience Institute, is an international standard to evaluate the customer service experience in large organisations. It aims to help organisations manage and improve their customer experience and upgrade the quality of their services.

In a new global achievement that adds to its record of international awards in excellence, DEWA won the Outstanding Customer Service Award at the Global Excellence Assembly Awards 2022. DEWA is the first entity to win more than one award in the same cycle based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework criteria, the highest level of recognition for Performance Excellence. The Assembly, based in New York, USA, commended DEWA and praised its success in institutionalising a culture of excellence and making it a daily practice.

Source: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority

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Study finds possible genetic links to rare life-threatening complication of COVID-19 in children

DUBAI, A new study led by scientists from the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital points to novel genetic factors that may contribute to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but life-threatening complication of COVID-19 in children.

MIS-C is a rare but serious complication that may occur in children with COVID-19. The condition is characterised by intense inflammation (cytokine storm) and can affect multiple organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. MIS-C is a life-threatening disease if not diagnosed and treated promptly. It is not clear why certain children develop this complication, and the recent study provides new evidence on the potential genetic factors related to MIS-C.

The study analysed clinical, laboratory markers, and genomic findings of 70 predominantly Middle Eastern children who had COVID-19, of whom 45 met the case definition of MIS-C, while 25 did not and were included as ‘controls’. Patients were treated at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in the UAE as well as in the Jordan University Hospital between September 2020 and August 2021.

Funded by the Al Jalila Foundation and published in JAMA Network Open, the study found that children with MIS-C were significantly more likely to have rare and likely damaging immune-related genetic changes when compared to control children with COVID-19 but without MIS-C. Furthermore, there was an association between genetic findings and disease onset and resistance to treatment.

Dr. Walid Abuhammour, Head of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases department at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, and study investigator, said, “This is an important study not only because the findings show comprehensive genetic profiling of children with MIS-C which is essential to characterise the genetic contribution to the disease, but also because patients of an Arab background have long been underrepresented in genetic studies.”

The study was the result of multi-institutional collaboration among Dubai-based scientists from MBRU, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the Medical Education and Research Department and the Pathology Department at Dubai Health Authority, as well as colleagues from the University of Jordan and The Specialty Hospital’s department of Pediatrics in Jordan.

For his part, Professor Suleiman Al Hammadi, Dean of the College of Medicine at MBRU, stated, “With all entities of the Dubai Academic Health Corporation involved, this study demonstrates the vision of the Corporation to foster collaboration and drive excellence in clinical care and discovery.”

Dr. Hamda Hassan Khansaheb, Head of Medical Research at Medical Education and Research Department, Dubai Health Authority, explained that this study provided Dubai Academic Health Corporation researchers with an opportunity to be involved in collaborative research which involved multiple researchers from different institutions and organisations.

Moreover, Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Director of Al Jalila Children’s Genomics Centre and Associate Professor of Genetics at MBRU, commented, “The results of this research suggest that rare genetic factors play a role in MIS-C disease and highlight immune-related pathways which might become targets for intervention. Hopefully, this will now prompt additional studies to functionally characterise some of the identified genes, and to expand genomic sequencing to more diverse populations to fully characterise the genetic landscape of this new disease entity.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Three cases that do not result in violations of sponsors who fail to subscribe or renew health insurance coverage

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, highlighted three cases where sponsors do not incur violations or financial fines for not subscribing or renewing of the mandated health insurance coverage. These cases include absconding workers, illegal residents or death of the sponsor.

In case of abscondment, DoH stated that no fine or violation will be imposed against the sponsor as from the date of the absconding report until the date of the situation rectification. Sponsors need to provide official documents that verify the notification of the relevant government entity of the worker’s abscondment. Additionally, no fine or violation will be incurred in the event of the sponsor’s death, provided that an official death certificate is issued and shared with the relevant governmental authorities. Similarly, no violation or fine shall be issued where individuals are found residing illegally in Abu Dhabi without valid residency visa.

In line with DoH’s commitment in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the community in Abu Dhabi, the Department encourages all members to subscribe and renew their health insurance subscription in due time. Members can follow up with their health insurers to ensure the continuity of their health insurance and access to integrated healthcare services whenever needed while making sure they avoid penalties resulting from a lack of subscription to a health insurance coverage.

DoH highlighted that individually-sponsored individuals whose incurred fines were paid between October 24, 2021 and the announced deadline extension on November 11, 2021 are eligible to apply for a refund of fines paid with the relevant health insurance company, noting that a grievance fee of AED 100 will be deducted from the fines paid.

Last year, DoH announced that the exemption from fines for individually-sponsored individuals who have not subscribed or renewed their health insurance scheme is valid until the end of 2021. Additionally, the Department confirmed that individuals who do not subscribe to a health insurance scheme will be subjected to a fine of AED 300 per month for every uninsured month. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Health Insurance Law No. 23/2005, its amendments and executive regulations.

Dr. Mariam Al Mazrouei, the Executive Director of Healthcare Payers Sector at DoH, said: “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is continuously working towards ensuring quality healthcare services are provided to all community members in accordance with the best international practices. It is crucial that all members of our community regularly check the latest updates on health insurance and renew their subscriptions in due time – to ensure they have access to the relevant healthcare facilities when and if needed.”

Source: Department of Health Abu Dhabi

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At BIO International Convention 2022, UAE reviews its unique experience in managing pharmaceutical sector

DUBAI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has recently taken part in the BIO International Convention (BIO 2022), organised in San Diego, USA, by the Biotechnology Innovation Organisation (BIO).

During the international event, the ministry reviewed its unique experience in successfully managing and addressing the Covid-19 pandemic based on flexible, proactive, and swift measures.

MoHAP stressed that the wise directives of the UAE leadership and its unlimited support extended to the healthcare sector played a crucial role in combating the pandemic.

“The UAE pays utmost attention to protecting the health of its people, considering it a top national priority,” the ministry said.

“With that in mind, it has indefatigably supported the national healthcare sector and harnessed all potential and resources to protect the community, which has exceptionally cooperated with the government’s efforts.”

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP, led the ministry’s delegation to the event, which was attended by high-ranking government delegations and prominent medical and pharmaceutical companies from several countries.

Speaking during the conference, Al Amiri said that the UAE has been the first country in the Middle East to license the Covid-19 vaccine and has produced it locally.

“With 14 Covid-19 vaccines licensed, the UAE has been one of the world’s best countries in terms of granting marketing approvals. The country has excelled in accelerating marketing approvals for Covid-19 vaccines as well as other innovative Covid-19 treatments and life-saving medicines. Once approved in the country of origin, the UAE became the world’s second country to grant marketing approval for such medicines, “Al Amiri continued.

He referred to the inspirational quote by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, when he said ‘La Tsheloon Hamm’, the Arabic phrase, which means ‘Don’t worry’, Food and medicines are redline. “

“These simple words have served as a catalyst for the government entities to step up their efforts to deal with the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis effectively and proactively, as well as a reassurance to the local community. This is how the UAE has effectively dealt with the pandemic, “Al Amiri further said.

He stressed that the UAE’s unique experience in managing the pandemic demonstrated that innovation and cooperation play an integral role in developing the country’s capabilities and providing a solid foundation for investing in the skills and knowledge of its workforce to better handle crises and emergencies and keep pace with continuous development across all sectors.

Asserting that pharmaceutical companies played a key role in quickly developing effective treatments and vaccines to combat the pandemic, Al Amiri said the ministry has collaborated with innovative companies to acquire and supply necessary medicines and vaccines once approved by the relevant authorities.

He went on to say that the UAE has made a paradigm shift in medicine regulation by accelerating necessary regulatory procedures for granting marketing approvals and issuing forward-looking decisions, thereby encouraging innovation.

Source: Emirates News Agency