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ABU DHABI, UAE –June 16, 2021: The world’s newest anti-viral treatment for COVID-19, Sotrovimab, is now available for early treatment of certain categories COVID-19 patients in the UAE following an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the country’s leading group purchasing organization (GPO) Rafed, and global innovative biopharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). With the arrival of the first shipment yesterday in Abu Dhabi airport, Abu Dhabi becamethe first location globally to receive this drug. Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody treatment delivered through intravenous therapy. Sotrovimab can be used to treat adults and children above the age of 12 who meet certain criteria and are at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, as per protocols that have been developed by the National Scientific Committee. Studies have shown the medicine to prevent hospitalization and death in 85% of early selected treatment cases and can work on all known variations to date. Following USA Food and Drug Agency Emergency use authorization approval, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) issued its endorsement of the new GSK medicine following a national assessment. Abu Dhabi Department of Health & Rafed executed its agreement with the manufacturer to ensure deliveries as early as June and July, enabling patients in the UAE to be among the first in the world to access the new therapy. The National Scientific Committee in MoHAP & Abu Dhabi Department of Health have worked on the treatment protocols that will guide doctors in defining at risk patients and ensuring that they have access to Sotrovimab according to their risk profile and eligibility criteria. Abu Dhabi-based Rafed will facilitate the procurement, storage and distribution of Sotrovimab via the Rafed Distribution Center- the Region’s largest specialized cold-storage facility. The Centerhas played a vital role to support the efforts of the HOPE Consortium, and is a milestone collaboration by healthcare, logistics and supply chain entities designed to facilitate the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi’s medical and life science offering to combat the pandemic, nationally and internationally HE Dr. Jamal Mohamed Kaabi, Undersecretary for the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, said: “Abu Dhabi continues in its efforts to maintain its number one city position globally in terms of resilience and safety in COVID19 times. Through the non-ending support and guidance from our leadership, we continue in our daily preemptive efforts to search, assess and source through local and international collaboration, the best evidence-based treatment to our population in Abu Dhabi, UAE and beyond. This medicine is at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancement and is a powerful tool in our fight to end this pandemic. We look forward to implement the eligibility criteria for emergency use of Sotrovimab as part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to lead an all-encompassing COVID -19 response in prevention, treatment and care.” Rashed Al Qubaisi, CEO of Rafed said: “Sotrovimab represents a massive breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19. Through our close collaboration and partnership with the Department of Health and GSK, we have been able to work swiftly in the procurement of the medication to ensure an effective and timely roll-out across the UAE. The Rafed Distribution Center continues to fulfil its mission of better serving the UAE public and extending Abu Dhabi’s Covid-19 response to the world.” As the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi finalizes a coherent framework to determine eligibility for Sotrovimab treatment, Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of the Etihad Aviation Group and Hope Consortium, have transported the first batch of Sotrovimab into the UAE utilizing its IATA CEIV-certified PharmaLife product. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “This achievement further elevates Abu Dhabi’s leading position in the fight against COVID-19, and firmly illustrates the combined capabilities of those entities at the forefront of the capital’s mission. As the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad has played a critical role facilitating the transportation of vaccines and medical supplies to and from the UAE with its specialist pharmaceutical logistics solution.” After receiving positive scientific opinion by the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Human Medicinal Products – an important step for the use of the medication for early treatment of COVID-19 across Europe – GSK has submitted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application to the US Food and Drug Administration and the UAE Ministry of Health and Preventionand got approval from both. “We have been working very closely with the Department of Health and Rafed since the interim results of the clinical trials with Sotrovimab were available” said Gizem Akalin, Managing Director and Vice President, GSK Gulf. “The DOH and Rafed have been agile and passionate about accelerating patient access to promising new treatments to confront COVID-19”. “Our partnership with DOH and Rafed is holistic, securing early access to Sotrovimab so that the population in Abu Dhabi and UAE will be among the first in the world to get this new treatment”, Akalin said. “There is a great level of scientific and medical collaboration to ensure that medical teams are ready and equipped. As GSK, we see this close cooperation as another sign of Abu Dhabi’s rapid development as a hub for first class treatment, medicines research, logistics and manufacturing” The high efficiency and provision of General Administration of Customs has been a great support to all the efforts involved throughout the process of receiving the Sotrovimab medication at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, as they have ensured a smooth and rapid custom clearing for the medication to facilitate the release of the shipment from the airport customs port at the earliest, thereby enabling the medication to reach patients faster.

Delhi, India, 21 May 2021: The Governing Board of the oneworld global airline alliance has appointed Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker to serve as its Chairman. Mr. Al Baker will succeed current oneworld Governing Board Chairman Mr. Alan Joyce, Group CEO of Qantas Group. As Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, Mr. Al Baker will oversee the alliance’s governance, chair oneworld’s Governing Board meetings and work closely with oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the alliance’s management team. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As we emerge from some of the most challenging times ever facing the global airline industry, I am honoured to be chosen by my fellow board members to lead the Governing Board for oneworld, an alliance that has continued to expand since COVID-19 emerged, with the addition of two new members in Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc. “I am also proud to lead an alliance that has set the benchmark for innovation, safety and customer service throughout the pandemic with many members, including Qatar Airways, taking the lead in trialing digital health passports. Qatar Airways has also enhanced bilateral relations with fellow oneworld members in the past 18 months, further demonstrating the strength of the partnerships between member airlines. “The pivotal role airlines and aviation play in the global economy has never been more evident than this past year, with both passenger and cargo operations in the spotlight, supporting international efforts to protect lives and livelihoods. We have collectively enabled mobilisation of aid, medical supplies and key workers and I would like to pay tribute to all the teams who have worked tirelessly across the oneworld member airlines to support these efforts. “I look forward to serving as Chairman of the Governing Board and working with our alliance partners, oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the oneworld team to provide more global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our passengers.” Having led Qatar Airways since its launch in 1997, Mr. Al Baker is the longest-serving CEO of a oneworld member airline.

May 17, 2021 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered hundreds of oxygen concentrators to India, to support the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, IAI responded promptly to India and the Israeli Embassy in India’s request to fly the remains of Soumya Santhosh, back to her hometown in Kochi, India. Ms. Santhosh was a devoted caregiver to an Israeli elderly, and was killed by rocket fired from the Gaza Strip in to the State of Israel, earlier this week. Ms. Santhosh’s remains were dispatched on the same flight along with humanitarian aid sent to help India through the COVID-19 crisis. IAI has been working with India’s Government, defense industries and armed forces for more than three decades. As part of our strategic cooperation with the Indian Navy, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard. Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO, said: “Through these difficult times, on both sides, in India and Israel, we felt the need to support our friends and partners during the COVID-19 crisis. Unfortunately, as we packed the oxygen aid, we heard Soumya Santhosh had been killed by rockets shot from Gaza into the State of Israel and were able to send her remains back to her home country. We are closely following the health crisis in India and hoping for a swift recovery.IAI wishes India blessings for good health, peace and prosperity.”

The consortium is part of the ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project in collaboration with the Government of Telangana, World Economic Forum, Niti Aayog and Healthnet Global. New Delhi, 13th May 2021: Blue Dart and part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL) formed Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium with the mission of revolutionizing the delivery of vaccines and emergency medical supplies to the remotest parts of India with Drones. Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium is part of the ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project in collaboration with the Government of Telangana, World Economic Forum, Niti Aayog and Healthnet Global. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted the project with necessary exemptions and rights to fly drone flights on an experimental basis in Telangana. The aim is to assess an alternate logistics route in providing safe, accurate and reliable pickup and delivery of health care items (medicines, covid-19 vaccines, units of blood, diagnostic specimens and other lifesaving equipment) from distribution centre to specific location and back. Blue Dart Med-Express Drone flights will deploy an immersive delivery model to optimize the current healthcare logistics within Telangana. The model will enable deliveries from district medical stores and blood banks to Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Blood Storage Units & further from PHCs/CHCs to Central Diagnostic laboratories. Blue Dart Managing Director Balfour Manuel said, “It’s been over a year and our battle against COVID-19 continues to unfold new challenges that need solutions in real-time. The pandemic has taught each one of us the importance of logistics and the need for a tech-led supply chain infrastructure”. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary, ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, said, “Telangana is one of the most proactive states looking to adopt emerging technologies, and the ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project using drones is in line with the same principles. This project is one of the first such programs in the country where multiple drones would fly BVLOS to establish their value proposition for the healthcare supply chain. The vision is to ensure healthcare equity for rural areas.”

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 10 May 2021 In a move to offer peace of mind to its passengers and elevate the customer’s experience, Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announces that it will offer complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance coverage to all ticket holders which will include health and quarantine expenses in the unexpected circumstances of being diagnosed with or contracting COVID-19 during passengers’ journeys. All tickets booked, including redemption tickets, on Gulf Air flights for travel starting from today 10 May until 10 November 2021 are automatically covered with COVID-19 insurance at no extra cost. Some restrictions may apply and passengers can check with airlines for more information. All passengers, according to the newly announced insurance policy and in the unfortunate event of being diagnosed with COVID-19 while traveling abroad, will be covered for repatriation assistance, medical and hospitals costs abroad as well as quarantine accommodation costs. Coverage is applicable on Gulf Air operated flights with Gulf Air ticket numbers that are purchased through the airline’s website, the call centre, Gulf Air’s sales offices or travel agents. Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “As the current global situation continues, travel needs to be simplified and enhanced with tools to make the passenger’s journey worry-free. The COVID-19 insurance coverage will provide a better experience to everyone flying with us within the next 6 months, just in time to plan their summer holiday. This will ensure passengers regardless of destination or class of travel can travel with more confidence and avoid any unwanted hassle in case of COVID-19 related emergency abroad”.

New Delhi, 10th, May 2021 Airports Authority of India`s Airports are geared up to deal with the Corona pandemic and is making its humble contribution to fight against the disaster and support the country. In this pandemic, Ranchi Airport is also facilitating the movement of medical equipment and materials such as oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrators, Nozzle, COVID19 vaccine, injections, test kits and medicines. It is also being ensured by the airport management that the movement of the essential materials is completed on priority without any delay. The mission at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi to overcome the oxygen crisis for the country started from April 24 and till 08th May 2021, a total of 139 oxygen tankers in 100 airplanes of the Indian Air Force have been transported. The Indian Air Force aircraft like C 17, C 130J, AN 32, IL 76 and other small aircraft have been helping in the transportation of essential material at regular intervals.

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 09 May 2021: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is to support a cargo airlift of urgent medical supplies and relief items to the Republic of India to assist in their fight to control the COVID-19 situation in the country. The airline will offer cargo capacity on a space-available basis on all flights to India helping local non-governmental organizations deliver relief supplies rapidly to where it is needed by contacting the Embassy of India in Bahrain. Captain Waleed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer said: “We have operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of India since 1960 and its network of cities have always been key to our global network. We resumed our flights to India in September 2020 to restart the traffic flow between Bahrain and India and have maintained our passenger operations to date. We remain dedicated to support cities with vital supplies to help them through this difficult time. Gulf Air proudly supports the Kingdom of Bahrain in its humanitarian efforts and stands ready to assist non-governmental organizations that have urgent medical supplies for COVID-19 relief to transport these supplies to India” HE Mr Piyush Srivastava, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain said: “We deeply appreciate the solidarity and support from the Kingdom of Bahrain. As we battle this global pandemic together and work closely to overcome its challenges, we thank Gulf Air for this kind gesture and for continuing to support India.”

Stevie Awards Winners to Be Celebrated During Virtual Event on 14th July’21 Gurugram, May 7, 2021: SpiceHealth has won the Gold Award at the 2021 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for ‘Most Valuable Medical Innovation’ under Covid-19 response category. This award is based on the average scores of more than 100 global professionals for more than 900 nominations from organizations and over three months of judging.The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programs such as The International Business Awards® for 19 years. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,” the winners will be celebrated during a virtual (online) awards ceremony on Wednesday, 14th July’2021. At a time when Covid-19 was at an all-time high in India in November 2020, SpiceHealth, under the leadership of Avani Singh, disrupted the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing space by offering tests in mobile laboratories at Rs. 499, as opposed to the then existing rate of Rs. 2400 in Delhi and helped bring down Covid-19 testing cost dramatically across the country. SpiceHealth was also the first to introduce the innovative concept of mobile testing laboratories that could be placed in remote areas, in containment zones, in villages where access to hospitals and medical facilities was and remains a challenge. Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth, said, “I am extremely happy that SpiceHealth has been selected as the Gold Stevie® Winner in the prestigious 2021 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards for the Most Valuable Medical Innovation under Covid-19 response category. SpiceHealth was founded with the vision of introducing innovative healthcare solutions aimed at serving the masses and I am happy that we have been recognised for our efforts and contributions in these very difficult times. I dedicate this award to all our frontline workers who have been fighting tooth and nail to beat the worst ever pandemic in human history.” “The eighth edition of the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards attracted many remarkable nominations,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Gallagher. “The organizations that won this year have demonstrated that they have continued to innovate and succeed despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and we applaud them for their perseverance and creativity. We look forward to celebrating many of this year’s winners during our virtual awards ceremony on 14th July’21.” SpiceHealth has been actively involved in the country’s fight against Covid-19. Since its launch in November 2020, SpiceHealth has conducted more than 2.2 million RT-PCR tests and has spread its operations across fives states – Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttarakhand. SpiceHealth has also been working actively with state governments and hospitals across the country to address the issue of acute shortage of oxygen and has airlifted thousands of oxygen concentrators for emergency use and distribution across India. The Company is also supplying thousands of its ‘Made-in-India’ SpiceOxy ventilators to different governments. (Published Online at Aviation World)