Abu Dhabi: Over 34,000 people received medical attention across the capital last year, the Abu Dhabi Police Ambulance Services announced today (Monday).
The cases attended to included births, illnesses and accident injuries.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Ebrahim Al Ameri, Head of the Emergency and Public Safety Department at Abu Dhabi Police, urged community members to provide an accurate description of the scene of an accident when calling the police hotline 999. He also called on drivers to make way for ambulances and other emergency vehicles to reduce response time and prevent repercussions that may be caused by delays.
Abu Dhabi emirate has 36 ambulatory stations working round the clock, in addition to first response vehicles that were introduced in the capital in 2004 for their ability to swiftly and easily reach locations.
“The ambulatory services also offer awareness to residents, teaching them first aid during field visits, workshops, lectures and broadcasting to strengthen their understanding of ambulatory services,” Lt Col Al Ameri said.
The sessions also convey the information in a simple manner in several languages in order to enable individuals to handle crises such as angina, fractures, suffocation, minor cuts, fevers and swallowing of inedible solids in children, if needed. The instructions also include steps to take before dialling 999.
Pamphlets were also distributed to workers in Arabic, English, Urdu and Hindi, detailing the importance of providing accurate information when calling the operations room and the negative effects of hindering ambulances on the roads.
In 2012, the Ministry of Interior introduced an ambulance in the form of a motorised Segway to provide medical attention in areas that are difficult to reach due to congestion, for example.
Although the vehicle is not large enough to carry passengers, it contains modern equipment to deal with those in critical condition.
