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DUBAI / GULF TIME
With winter around the corner, hospitals in the UAE are gearing up to manage the seasonal increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, particularly among children. Local experience shows that preventing RSV relies not only on medical interventions but also on strong collaboration between the community, families, and the healthcare system to protect children and curb the virus’s spread during the colder months.
Dr. Markus Knuf, Head of the Children’s Hospital in Worms, Germany, and Paediatric Infectious Disease Consultant at the University of Mainz, notes that RSV is a leading cause of hospital admissions among infants worldwide. He points out that Germany’s experience demonstrates the impact of combining awareness, preventive measures, and early intervention. These strategies have led to an 80 per cent reduction in hospitalisations related to the virus compared to the previous season, underscoring the critical role of early action and community awareness in safeguarding children.
In the UAE, Dr. Walid Abu Hammour, Head of the Infectious Disease Department at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, emphasises that increasing community awareness is essential for easing the pressure on hospitals. Likewise, Dr. Eslam El Baroudy, Professor and Paediatric Consultant at Cairo University and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, highlights that involving schools and kindergartens in awareness initiatives help foster a sustainable and healthy environment that protects children. Both experts believe that close collaboration between families, communities, and healthcare providers is crucial to ensuring the wellbeing of children.
In light of this, Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager for the Greater Gulf, Vaccines at Sanofi, states that the company considers itself as a vital partner in the public health sector, collaborating with experts and healthcare institutions in the UAE to advance prevention efforts and raise awareness.
These initiatives highlight the critical role of community collaboration and collective awareness in addressing seasonal illnesses and underscore the importance of partnerships between community and healthcare institutions in safeguarding children and promoting a culture of prevention across the country.