File photo used for representation only.
Ambulance Service at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has set an effective strategic plan implemented for any potential emergencies during the Eid Al Adha holidays. Many ambulances and paramedics are on standby as people enjoy a long weekend.
Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service, Ali Darwish, said that 125 ambulances, critical care paramedics, bicycles, golf carts are on standby across the country based on data gathered throughout years about accidents prone areas and analysed by a computer system.
Speaking to The Peninsula yesterday, he said that the situation is different from Eid Al Fitr holidays due to the third phase of the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
“With an aim to provide people with easy access to effective care, the Ambulance Service has set a strategic plan during the Eid holidays. We assure to provide an uninterrupted service to people,” he said.
“We expect people visiting more places due to the lifting of restrictions, therefore based on a computer analysed system we distribute ambulances and paramedics across the country,” he added.
According to Darwish, more ambulances will be deployed at places which are predicted to attract more people and traffic such as beach areas in Sealine, Gahariya, Al Wakra, Semaisima and the Corniche. Bicycles and golf carts are assigned at places like the Souq Waqif, Aspire Zone and Katara.
Three Lifeflights of the Ambulance Service also will be transporting more critical cases.
Darwish assured that other community service, including supported discharge (eg IV antibiotics, dressings at home), transferring patients from one facility to another, long term care for housebound elderly patients and services at fixed facilities will continue as normal. He said that on average per day the Ambulance Service receive 800 calls related to emergency cases and 300 calls for non-emergency services.
Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service, Ali Darwish (pictured), emphasised that the Ambulance Service will continue COVID-19 related operations such as transporting people to quarantine facilities and hospitals and said that Ambulance Service provides safe transportation.
“All ambulances transporting confirmed or suspected cases of infection with the virus are fully sterilised and disinfected. Our paramedics are fitted with full personal protective equipment to keep them safe from potential infection,” said Darwish.
Darwish also reminded the public about the importance of giving clear information to the dispatcher including the nature of the emergency and the exact location, follow the operator’s instructions about how to behave at the sight of the emergency and what to do till help arrives. Callers should pay attention to any questions asked by the operator and answer them as accurately as possible.
