UAE and WHO send emergency medical supplies to help Iran tackle coronavirus

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DUBAI: The UAE helped the World Health Organization fly experts and medical supplies to Iran as part of efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak there.

Iranian officials say at least 66 people have died��and more than 1,500��cases have been confirmed in the most deadly spread of the disease outside of China, where it originated.��

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A team of experts has landed in Tehran, IR to work w/ health & other authorities to review/support the ongoing response to outbreak in . The plane carrying the team also contained a shipment of medical supplies & protective equipment

— WHO EMRO (@WHOEMRO)

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The UAE Air Force deployed an aircraft that carried 7.5 tonnes of cargo from Dubai to Iran, the UAE’s state news agency WAM reported.

Gloves, surgical masks, and other basic medical supplies to help 15,000 healthcare workers treating patients were packed up and loaded at Dubai’s International Humanitarian City.

The aid also included diagnostic kits to screen thousands of people.

“This mission is part of our efforts to support coronavirus patients,” said Sultan Al-Shamsi, the UAE’s assistant minister for international development affairs. “We will continue to extend our support to the people in distress in collaboration with the international community.”

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WHO Regional Director, Dr Al-Mandhari-"I would like to extend my sincere personal gratitude to HH Sheikh Al Nahyan & the UAE Government for their gracious support, enabling to send experts & medical supplies from Dubai to Tehran by a special flight"

— WHO EMRO (@WHOEMRO)

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Dr. Richard Brennan, WHO’s acting regional emergency director, said it would not have been possible for the UN health agency to carry out the mission without the support of the UAE government.

“Iran has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Middle East,” he said. “The medical supplies will help equip Iran to contain the virus.”

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