UAE, Iran discuss measures to fight coronavirus

ABU DHABI – Emirati health minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais discussed Wednesday with his Iranian counterpart Saeed Namaki measures taken by both countries in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Owais told Namaki in a phone call that the United Arab Emirates has recently developed a rapid coronavirus laser testing technology that enables mass-scale screening with results made available in seconds.

"We are following up all latest techniques in the fight and rapid detection of the coronavirus," said Owais. QuantLase Imaging Lab announced Tuesday that it has developed equipment for faster mass screenings of the novel coronavirus.

The technology will enable UAE to get COVID-19 results in seconds and help the country carry out tests on a mass scale and save human lives.

Owais highlighted the UAE's newly developed stem-cell treatment as well as the establishment of 15 field hospitals which provide 5,759 beds for coronavirus patients.

The minister also emphasised the UAE’s international humanitarian actions since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic, sending medical aid and equipment to over 50 countries affected by the outbreak, including Iran and Syria.

"The UAE has proved to the entire world its adherences to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and non-discrimination in its humanitarian stances, being a strong pillar of its politics," said Owais.

The Iranian Health Minister extended thanks to the UAE for its support his country in its fight to contain the spread of the disease.

Namaki stressed that the UAE assistance has helped provide Iranian frontline healthcare workers with protective equipment to enable them better deal with the pandemic.