Dubai:The exceptional efforts made by Dubai Police during the implementation of the National Sterilisation Programme in Naif, have tremendously helped the sterilisation and medical efforts in the area and helped to provide food, housing and financial support to its residents.

Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of Organisations Protective Security and Emergency, Member of the Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, said that Naif Police Station, supported by policemen from different general departments at Dubai Police, worked tirelessly during the National Sterilisation Programme to implement a comprehensive security plan and tackle the COVID-19 situation, and to enforce the precautionary measures and curb the virus transmission among residents.

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi Dubai Police formed eight specialised task forces to support carrying out the sterilisation operations in Naif. " With creative solutions, our task forces, aided by 14 strategic partners, overcame several challenges including, managing the crowds in a civil and flexible manner, providing food, and ensuring the cooperation of residents in the area while carrying out the sterilisation programme" he said.

5537 Permits

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi pointed out that the first task force issued 5537 permits to food, and gas trucks as well as government vehicles to access Naif area during the National Sterilisation Programme. Meanwhile, the second task force undertook the task of providing support to onsite medical workers and facilitating carrying out 6,391 medical tests.

He further explained that the third task force helped to repatriate 652 individuals through engaging reliable diplomatic channels with the respected embassies and consulates in the country.

244 Humanitarian Cases

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi indicated that the fourth task force handled 244 humanitarian cases. "The team attend to the needs of patients of chronic diseases, pregnant women, and people with emergencies during the National Sterilisation program," he said.

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi added that the fifth task force "the Medical Service team" in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai (DED), was responsible for re-operating three pharmacies in the area to provide medical essentials to the residents.

Handling Violations & Logistics

Maj. Gen. Al-Ghaithi pointed out that the sixth task force assumed the mission of closing markets and commercial stores, and this team contributed to fining 329 individuals and 195 stores for violating the National Sterilisation Programme.

Meanwhile, the seventh task force "the Financial Services Task Force", and in coordination with the DED, facilitated the reopening of eight currency exchange shops in the area.

According to Maj. Gen. Al-Ghaithi, the eighth task force took over providing logistical support in Naif. "The eighth task force contributed to delivering 600,000 meals to the neighbourhood's residents," "They also distributed 150 food baskets to families in restricted areas and provided housing support and accommodation for those who did not have means of housing in the area," Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi said. 

Challenges & Solutions

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi pointed out that there were eight main challenges that faced police work at the beginning of the sterilisation period across Naif. However, Dubai Police, in collaboration and coordination with partners, found exceptional solutions to overcome these challenges and handled the situation professionally.

"The most prominent challenge we faced was the closure of exchange shops. This meant residents in Naif area were unable to send and receive cash," "Dubai Police, nonetheless, coordinated with the relevant authorities and facilitated the reopening of some exchange shops in the neighbourhood," he said.

Another challenge was about dealing with a highly diverse and population-dense area. "To overcome this challenge, Dubai Police utilised the latest models of drones in crowd management and awareness process. In addition to recruiting volunteers, of the same nationality as the residents, as well as the efforts of our onsite patrols, mounted police, and the K9 dogs," Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi added.

He further explained that Dubai police also used different social media platforms to broadcast positive and awareness messages to residents of the area.

Another challenge came up when some residents and visitors in the area expressed their desire to travel back home. "We contacted the concerned embassies in this regard and facilitated all travel procedures" Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi confirmed.

He also noted that they overcame the fourth challenge of extending reservations hotel and furnished apartments through swift coordination with the force's strategic partners.

The seventh challenge our task forces faced was the closure of clinics in the area which prevented residents with health issues from receiving necessary treatment. "Dubai Police coordinated with the DED and relevant authorities to assist Zulikha and Al Abrah Clinics to reopen and attend to patients in the restricted area," Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi said. 

Maj. Gen. Al Ghaithi said that they also successfully overcame the eighth and final challenge regarding accommodating those who couldn't afford, and they also supported individuals who could not go to work and ensured they got paid and did not lose their jobs due to the lockdown.

At the Police Station

On the procedures and preparations of Naif Police Station, Brigadier Dr Tariq Mohammed Tahlak, Director of the station, said that they were keen on ensuring the health and safety of individuals.  "We restricted access to barracks, ensured thermal screening and sterilisation of the station and barracks, provided disinfectants, as well as temporarily closed gyms at the station and police barracks," he added.

"The Naif Police Station maintains highest levels of health and safety procedures at the workplace," "We keep a safe distance between offices, disinfect patrols at the end of shifts or upon vehicle exchanges. We also implemented telecommuting, exempted the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with chronic disease from working on the premise," he noted.

The director of Naif Police Station said they also applied disinfection procedures for individuals and vehicles entering and leaving Naif area.

39 Patrols

Brig Tahlak said Dubai Police task forces demonstrated exceptional skills handling the high density of population in the area. "Although there are 74,377 people who live in an area of 3.2 Km2 that has 17,186 buildings, Dubai Police dispatched 39 patrols to secure the area and provide assistance to two medical tents with 32 medical workers," he explained.

Best Practices

The Dubai Police has implemented best practices in policing during the lockdown on Naif.

Brig Tahlak said they introduced innovative solutions and harnessed the latest technologies including the use of smart helmets, K9 dogs and more importantly golf carts to support businesses and reach narrow alleys. "In addition, we applied a highly professional security cordon system, and flied drones and dispatched bicycle and mounted patrols across the area," he added.

"We also set up field hospitals and sterilisation gates in the area. Moreover, we implemented an internal isolation system, provided food meals, attended to humanitarian cases, and ensured the closure of markets and shops during the programme," he said.

Missions Accomplished

Brig Tahlak said that all task forces assigned to Naif contributed to handling forty criminal reports, two traffic reports, one lost-and-found report, and seven identity verification requests.

"The operations of the National Sterilisation Programme in Naif were completed successfully, thanks to the 14 strategic partners that collaborated with the task forces of policemen, mounted police officers, and security patrols staffed by different general departments of Dubai Police," Brig. Thalak concluded.