Gaza geared up to start its Covid-19 vaccination programme on Monday.
It had been due to begin on Sunday, but was delayed while clinics waited for 20,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, donated by the UAE, to arrive.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry in Ramallah sent 2,000 doses of the vaccine to Gaza on Wednesday through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Egypt.
The vaccines arrived on Sunday evening after a delay due to bad weather.
"We received today the shipment of vaccines ... and will start the vaccination tomorrow in Gaza," health official Dr Majdi Dahir told The National.
“We will start with medical teams, then with those with chronic illness and the elderly.”
Gaza’s health ministry said on Saturday that since the start of the pandemic, 54,270 cases were recorded there, 543 of whom died. At least 51,776 recovered in the enclave, which is controlled by Hamas.
Deputy health minister Dr Yousef Abu Alrish said that about 40 per cent of Gaza’s residents may have been infected with the coronavirus.
Palestinian authorities have eased pandemic restrictions lately and reopened schools and marketplaces.
Dr Ashraf Kalaja, 33, who works in the emergency department at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, said he would definitely take the vaccine if offered it.
“Since I deal directly with coronavirus patients and could be infected by the virus, I will take the vaccine, for sure,” he said.
“I encourage everyone above 45 years or has chronic disease or a weak immune system to take the vaccine. Also, I have encouraged my family to take it.”
Amani Nassrallah, who works for Gaza’s ministry of labour, registered herself and her family on My Health app launched by the health ministry. She is awaiting her turn.
“The vaccine is our only way to be protected from the virus,” she said.
But some people remain sceptical about the process.
"I will not take the vaccine because its side effects are not clear until now," Randa Faisal, a mother of five, told The National.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
