Filipinos were among the thousands who volunteered in the Phase III trials of a potential COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana commended the hundreds of Filipino nurses and volunteers who took part in the potential COVID-19 vaccine trials, during her recent visit at the Group 42 (G42) healthcare station located at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
During the visit, Group 42 Chief Research Officer Dr. Waleed Zaher gave Quintana a walk-through of the trial process, from registration down to the actual vaccination.
The ADNEC trial site is touted to be the biggest of its kind in the world. Since July 16, 2020, the potential vaccine has been administered to over 15,000 people of various nationalities, including Filipino volunteers.
UAE-based Filipino journalist Neil Bie, one of the first Filipinos to volunteer in the trial, said his motivation in joining was to express his gratitude to the UAE government for caring for all foreign residents during the pandemic the same way it treats its own citizens.
At the facility, Dr. Zaher introduced Quintana to the Filipino nurses working at the site and expressed UAE’s appreciation for the role they play in the mission.
G42 has 181 Filipino frontliners (180 nurses and one doctor) involved in the COVID-19 vaccine trials.
Quintana said she was very proud of the Filipino frontliners and volunteers at the facility even as she thanked them for their involvement in the COVID-19 vaccine trial that will benefit humanity as a whole.
“There is a core Filipino value called “pakikipagkapwa” which can be roughly described as ‘one’s care for his or her fellow human being.’ The dedication given by Filipinos involved in the vaccine trial springs forth from this Filipino value,” Quintana said.
Filipino nurse Rogelio Buezon Jr. expressed elation over the visit of the Filipino envoy, saying, “This is a great way to send a message of hope that the Philippine government values the efforts of frontliners like us, especially during these times.”
The UAE is among the first countries conducting a Phase III Trial for a potential COVID-19 vaccine that is developed by the Chinese pharmaceutical company, Sinopharm.