Life-saving National Ambulance Project launched

National Ambulance Project, which covers all Northern Emirates through eight main locations and 22 sub-locations, was inaugurated on Monday.

Under the directives of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, inaugurated the project.

Speaking of how the project came to fruition, Sheikh Saif said: “His Highness, the President of UAE and the leader of this journey, had asked me to verify a complaint he had received from one citizen last year, saying that ambulance services take too long to arrive to remote areas of the country, due to geographical distances. Then Sheikh Khalifa gave orders to provide the budget required to solve this problem and take the necessary measures as soon as possible. Thanks to such noble directives, and the follow-up made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE signed a contract with Harvard University to establish an emergency academy to train local staff members, in order to enable doctors to carry out these tasks once they have graduated from the academy and provide them with the necessary skills to accomplish their duties.”

Sheikh Saif called upon the project organisers to make the best efforts to meet the needs of the public and minimise response times in order to save lives, saying: “Saving the lives of people is a non-negotiable, sacred duty.”

He urged the public to rate the new service via the ministry’s website and send feedback in this regard in order for the ministry to be able to make the necessary updates and improvements

At the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, Sheikh Khalifa, along with the qualified staff members, viewed the medical equipment being used. Sheikh Saif also viewed the ambulances that are furnished with out-of-hospital life support equipment.

Lt. Colonel Mohammad Ibrahim Al Ameri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Ambulance Company, praised the great support received by the company from the higher leadership. He said: “We are keen to provide the best, most advanced ambulance services, in line with the strategic goals and the UAE plan 2020.”

He said,  “The services will cover Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah through eight main locations and 22 sub-locations divided among the emirates, based on their needs. The main locations will serve as operation management centers that will provide medical help in cases of emergency. These centers will work 24|7.”

He added: “Out-of-hospital life support services will be provided in 20 fully equipped Mercedes 324 vehicles, in addition to a spare vehicle. 179 main ambulance attendants will work in two shifts; 12 hours each.”

Al Ameri said: “National Ambulance Company will manage the resources via a communication center that is equipped with the latest technologies, a smart tracking system, support systems and programs that guarantee a seamless service based on the best international practices. Medical decisions and case classification will take place according to priorities. Each center will hire 35 staff members fluent in English and Arabic, and have medical experience that allows them to deal with the calls.”

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