6,000 ambulance calls for Dubai heart patients

An average of 400 calls a day is received by Dubai Ambulance Authority, and the number is increasing due to the rapid growth in the emirate’s population.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Dr. Omar Al Sakaf, Director of Medical and Technical Affairs of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) says that out of the thousands of calls received by the DCAS, till date, 6,000 calls were related to heart patients, compared to 5,000 in 2013.

“Our bustling city’s population is growing, and so everything around us reacts accordingly.
“We receive 400 ambulance calls a day, and that figure is increasing due to the population increase and the various nature of the calls,” he said.

Dr. Omar explains that they have allocated special ambulances for different medical conditions.

“We have provided these special ambulances based on the public’s needs, and they are available for the people of Dubai and its visitors, and as per the situation, we send out the dedicated vehicle.” 
 
He pointed out that these special ambulances have been in operation close to eight years and they are very advanced and DCAS is constantly upgrading the electronic systems of its fleet, medicine on board, cameras, and everything else.

Dr. Al Sakaf added that responding to 400 calls a day may seem overwhelming, but they have to take every call very seriously.
“Each ambulance can handle 50 calls a day, sometimes 100; it depends on the area, the ambulance strength, and the shift.”

The doctor also explained that it also depends on the type of injury, whereas if someone is trapped it could take up to an hour to extract them.

“The first responder will take eight minutes to reach the site, that number is also going to be reduced in future.”

Interestingly, there are also particular areas in Dubai that receive a few more calls than other areas.
 
“Particularly Bur Dubai, Deira and the industrial areas. There’s been a 21 per cent increase in calls and we’re expecting the same this year, Dr. Al Sakaf says, adding that their fleet includes a total of 211 ambulances, out of which 104 are operational, based at 75 stations across Dubai, from border to border.
 
DCAS key facts

-    Five Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances, dedicated for heart disease and unconscious patients.
-    Two Maternity Care Unit ambulances, dedicated vehicles for female emergencies, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and pregnancy        These are driven and operated only by ladies.
-    Six responder four-wheel drive ambulances, for hard-to-reach locations also with advanced paramedics.
-    Two motorbike ambulances. These medics cover narrow and busy areas with smaller roads such as Gold Souq and Al Naif.
-    Two push-bike ambulance services at the JBR station, with a plan for more to be added.
-    One responder doctor available at all times – although the medics are fully trained and equipped.
-    One ambulance dedicated for heavyweight patients, which can carry upto 400kg of weight.
-    One ambulance dedicated for special needs’ patients.

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