First of its kind ‘smart’ ambulance fleet coming to Dubai

One of the Dh1.2 million vehicles, which are being imported from the US, went on display on Tuesday at the opening day of the annual Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference (DIHADC).

A solar-powered ambulance on display at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // A fleet of “smart” ambulances that use solar power and allow doctors to monitor the condition of patients on their way to hospital will soon be on the roads.

One of the Dh1.2 million vehicles, which are being imported from the United States, went on display yesterday at the opening day of the annual Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference.

“It is the first of its kind in the world,” said Dr Omar Al Sakkaf, the director of medical and technical affairs at the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

“We use the sun to power the lights in the vehicle. It has a smart stretcher and a child’s seat. It’s made of carbon fibre, so it is light and can travel fast.

“This is part of our long-term preparation for the Expo 2020. We will have an entire fleet soon.”

The ambulance, which can run for 48 hours without charging, is fitted with cameras to allow waiting doctors at hospitals to monitor a patient’s condition and supervise the care provided by paramedics.

“It is like a mobile emergency department and has all the equipment to provide emergency care,” said Dr Al Sakkaf.

“It has an electronic system and data like the patient’s vital signs and echocardiography can be quickly transmitted to Rashid Hospital, Latifa Hospital, Al Baraha or Dubai Hospital.”

If a patient suffers from a head injury, paramedics can take a CT scan and send it to doctors. The vehicle is also fitted with rear cameras to take pictures of an accident scene that can be sent to the Dubai Police operations room.

“The vehicle can alert the paramedics if they have left any of the ambulance’s equipment outside,” Dr Al Sakkaf said. “It also monitors the competency of the paramedics, such as if they have taken all the necessary data, and checks the competency of the drivers, if they are driving fast or rashly.”

Regular ambulances are smaller in size and can accommodate only two paramedics at a time. The new vehicle can carry four people, including a doctor if necessary.

“When we have to transfer patients from one hospital to another, a doctor can travel along.”