Sharjah24: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has obtained the ISO/DIS 22329 for the use of and management of social media in emergencies from Global Business Solutions (GBS), USA.

The achievement is yet another testament to the ministry's commitment to enhancing the quality and performance standards and culminates its efforts in emergency management through the readiness and proactive plans and the provision of appropriate work programs to ensure business continuity. It also enhances the ministry’s position at the forefront of long-standing institutions that apply the best international practices.

The ISO Certification was received by HE Dr. Mohamed Salim Al-Olama, MoHAP Undersecretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Health Services (EHS), in the presence of Wedad Bu Hamid, Director of the Government Communication Department, MoHAP.

Mohamed Salim Al-Olama stated that the ISO Certification in the Social Media Management in Emergencies clearly reflects the ministry’s commitment to applying global standards that strengthen the resilience and responsiveness of its sectors to emergency situations and the use of innovative business models to maintain the ministry’s leadership and excellence.

Al Olama lauded the performance and the extraordinary efforts made by the Government Communication Department team to reach out to all society segments to enhance their health awareness and boost their confidence in the capabilities of the health sector. He also commended the balanced system adopted by the department to manage media relations and strengthen the ministry’s presence in the local and international media according to an approved proactive communication plan.

He went on to say that the unwavering support of wise leadership makes the ministry moves firmly and steadily to achieve its strategic objectives according to a forward-looking vision and well-thought-out programs. 

This comes in line with the aspirations of the UAE government to become more resilient and quicker in making decisions, sustaining achievements, adopting innovative thinking to ensure the readiness for the future, and the proactive contribution to achieving the best performance, as well as maintaining the efficiency of all sectors at all levels.

Wedad Bu Hamid underlined that ISO Certification in the Social Media Management in Emergencies is another significant milestone added to the impressive record of the UAE in terms of managing the Covid-19 pandemic. 

She added such achievements make us more determined and resolve to continue on the same path of excellence, while keeping pace with the accelerated developments in the telecommunication system and modern social media platforms.

Bu Hamid noted that the Government Communication Department works hard to develop its communication tools, especially the digital ones, in order to be proactive, innovative, transparent, and reliable, as this will significantly contribute to enhancing the confidence of community members in the ability of government to overcome this crisis.      

She noted that the Department is regularly reviewing its work mechanisms, plans, and strategies to manage the Covid-19 at the media level, in line with the standards and indicators of the UAE's approved government communication system. This is done through the effective and innovative management of the ministry's image on the social media platforms, measurement of community pulse, and analysis of the public opinion, in addition to deepening the national and community values, the culture of innovation, happiness, and positivity.