At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lack of awareness and a minor resistance to changes and coping with the new norm.

To correct this issue, Sharjah launched this initiative to spread awareness to its population by facilitating the transition to online working and schooling, establishing the largest laboratory in the world (outside China) to undertake the examination and diagnosis of COVID-19, field hospitals with more than 3000 medical beds, allocating isolation areas with the cooperation of various sectors, regulating vehicle inspection and testing for the public, sterilization of workplaces buildings and its entrances by using multiple devices such as drones or sterilization gates, use of robots in the application of the national sterilization program, publishing awareness on every platform with the distributions of signs organized by all local / government / private entities, urging the donation of blood to infected patients, providing daily live broadcasts and a series of educational programs and virtual groups for psychological support, establishing a guide to care for elder citizens in epidemics, distribution of free sterilizers and protection kits, home delivery for medicines, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles during the lockdown.

The initiative targets vulnerable populations as per the emphasis on the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses; it was ensured that they received support through the appropriate channels. Furthermore, the initiative was funded through city funds, national/regional funds, donors and government funding.

Quotes from Stakeholders:

“We advise everyone to communicate with the declared health authorities, and visit examination centres organised by the country if any abnormal symptoms are felt, as awareness should rise, and all members of society should be urged to work concurrently with the government in implementing the procedures for addressing and facing COviD-19 with a sense of responsibility, and strict adherence to instructions and directives. This infection is not a stigma, nor is it a shameful disease, but rather like any other diseases that heal by following certain medical procedures and receive treatments.

We thank our government for providing and harnessing the ultimate care provided to all individuals living in the Emirates with achieving best services and tests, with substantiate praise from the World Health Organization and Human Rights Organizations for all what the UAE have achieved to face the pandemic.”

-Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, Director of Sharjah Health Authority. Head of Executive

Committee to expand Sharjah Healthy City program.

The initiative aimed to spread awareness and provide accessible, high quality healthcare to ease the situation.

Regarding post-pandemic prospects, considering that more people have easy access to sources of tests, care, and education, we can say that Sharjah will be ready for any possible situation that may occur and set steps towards better living.