Medical Advisors From VPS Healthcare-Al Ain Support Earthquake Recovery Project With Global NGO All Hearts And Hands

In the Year of Zayed, Burjeel Royal Hospital and Medeor 24×7 International Hospital in Al Ain are proud to support a disaster-recovery project led by the global NGO, All Hearts and Hands-Smart Response. Two staff nurses from the two hospitals, Thomas Joseph and Sajeer Poonthala, are in Nepal with over 60 volunteers who are building a school for the local community. Thomas and Sajeer will be providing basic first aid, health and hygiene awareness classes for the volunteers and demonstrations for local villagers in the disaster-affected communities.

Two devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015, killed over 9,000 and left another 23,000 injured. The destruction of infrastructure and homes was massive, with more than 5,000 schools being damaged or completely destroyed. The non-profit organization, All Hands And Hearts – Smart Response (AHAH), has been rebuilding earthquake resilient structures and schools within communities in Nepal for over three years. Co-founded in 2005 by supermodel and philanthropist, Petra Nemcova, AHAH is a volunteer-powered disaster relief organization that addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters.

Dr. Arun Menon, Director of Operations, VPS AL Ain region said “we continue to honor the memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision of humanitarianism extended beyond the borders of the UAE. This program is one of many initiatives which we support through our Corporate Social Responsibility work and through volunteering.”

At the construction sites, there is a risk of illness and injury due to the nature of the work performed and the possible extreme conditions. Given that the nearest medical facility almost 90 minutes away, our Medical Advisors will be the first point of contact and resource for minor illnesses and injuries which may occur at either a job site or base camp and to help prepare for medical emergency responses, if needed, Dr. Menon added.

“This program would facilitate a long-term strategy for ongoing health and safety advice by allowing for continuity of any treatment and volunteer monitoring. This will result in fewer volunteer sick days and therefore more disaster-affected communities can be assisted. This program not only aligns with VPS Healthcare’s expertise in providing onsite medical services, support in preventive measures, emergencies, and day-to-day treatments, but also clinical outreach programs to provide healthcare advice for people in isolated areas.”