Dubai service will transport patients to and from hospitals instead of ambulances

The Roads and Transport authority launches its Awnak service for the disabled and non-emergency cases. Courtesy RTA

DUBAI // Specially adapted taxi-ambulances are to be used to transport people with disabilities, the elderly and non-emergency patients to and from hospitals, the Roads and Transport Authority has announced.

Awnak, only the third service of its kind in the world after the UK and Ireland, will use specially converted vans that allow for wheelchair access.

“The launch of this service signals the huge attention accorded by the RTA to the disabled and elderly, who have full rights and duties,” said Yousef Al Ali, chief executive of RTA Public Transport Agency.

“All community members are required to care for these segments [of the population] and provide them with all services to meet their needs and protect their rights as active individuals.”

At the moment 10 vehicles will be used during an initial three-month phase and 20 drivers have been picked to undergo training.

“The design of Awnak vehicles combines the design of a taxi and an ambulance,” said Mr Al Ali. “The service will be closely monitored over three months and if it proves successful and up to the standard, more vehicles will be deployed in future.”

Dr Biniam Tesfayohannes, head of the emergency department at Mafraq in Abu Dhabi, praised the introduction of the service in Dubai and said he would welcome something similar in the capital.

“This will be a good service as it appears to be limited to people who have already made contact with a physician and are not an emergency case,” said Dr Tesfayohannes, adding it would help to ease the burden on emergency services.

“Another benefit will be that if it returns patients home to recover that would free up beds at the hospital.”

The Awnak service will help patients who have undergone surgical procedures in hospitals and have been released to rest at home, people referred for hospital treatment by physicians, and the transfer of patients from one hospital to another.

“It is also aimed to serve patients intending to go to hospitals and clinics to meet a doctor, in addition to the elderly and the disabled whose mobility requires vehicles fitted with specific specifications,” said Mr Al Ali.

Paul Wells, chief executive of Non Emergency Transport Services (Nets), said the service had never been used in the Middle East before.

“Nets is a healthcare choice for people who need to attend hospital and clinical appointments, rehabilitation and therapy appointments, or who require wheelchair assistance.

“Our aim is to introduce an innovative transport service to the healthcare industry of Dubai and beyond.”

The initiative is part of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council’s “My Community ... A Place for All” campaign, which aims to transform Dubai into a disabled-friendly city by 2020.

The RTA currently offers disabled residents exemptions from vehicle licensing and registration fees as well as parking and Salik charges. They also receive special Nol cards for use on the metro and buses.

The RTA issued 4,591 disability Salik permits and 264 blue Nol cards from 2011 to last year, and 3,217 parking permits and 88 driving permits for the disabled.