COVID-19: First batch of 88 nurses from India arrive in UAE

first batch of 88 nurses from India arrived in UAE to help country's stretched healthcare professionals amid a surge in number of COVID-19 infections in Gulf nation that has crossed 17,000, according to media reports.

Ministry of Health and Prevention said UAE reported 624 new cases on Saturday, taking total number of infections to 17,417.

number of fatalities reached 185 after 11 deaths were reported on day.

nurses, who are from Aster DM Healthcare hospitals in states of Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, will be put under quarantine for 14 days after which y will be assigned to various field hospitals as per requirement, Khaleej Times reported.

y arrived on a special flight at Dubai airport on Saturday.

India's Ambassor to UAE Pavan Kapoor said that this would furr strengn long-standing friendship between two countries.

"India and UAE are showing how a strategic partnership translates into concrete cooperation on ground in dealing with this pandemic. Helping a friend in need is motto of cooperation between our two countries," he said.

According to a report in Gulf News, arrival of nurses was facilitated in a tie-up with Aster DM Healthcare group, with support from Indian Consulate and UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

India's Consul General Vipul said, “It is yet ar example of strong India-UAE bilateral ties and reflects deep understanding of problems faced by expatriates as well as UAE nationals in UAE.”

"We feel extremely proud to be a part of this joint initiative in providing relief for COVID-19 patients in different facilities," he said.

Az Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said, group felt duty bound to assist UAE by bringing ir medical professionals from India for best possible healthcare delivery to citizens, residents and visitors during COVID-19 situation.

Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority said, “This initiative is testimony to relationship shared by two nations and it highlights close collaboration between government and private health sector.

Indian nurses, who specialise in working in intensive care unit, said that y are happy to be part of initiative, report in Khaleej Times said.

Royin Maw Thomas, one of nurses in delegation, said it is his duty to serve people, and so is happy to help UAE battle pandemic as part of this special delegation from India.

Dipika Suraj Khavale h to leave his 2-year-old child back in India to be part of team. PTI RS AKJ RS