Dubai transport authorities have launched Awnak, a service which is
dedicated to transporting the physically challenged, seniors and
patients suffering from conditions that do not warrant hailing an
ambulance to give them a lift to the hospital.
The service is considered the first of its type in the region and the third worldwide after the UK and Ireland, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dr. Yousef Al Ali.
“The launch of this service signals the huge attention accorded by the RTA to various community segments — including the disabled and elderly — who have been accorded their full rights and duties.
“All community members are required to care for these segments and provide them with all services to meet their needs and protect their rights as active individuals.”
The design of Awnak vehicles combines the design of a taxi and an ambulance vehicle in a way that meets the standards approved by the RTA and competent bodies.
He said, “About 10 vehicles are being deployed during the initial phase of the service and about 20 drivers are being hand-picked after undergoing training courses in how to deal with various cases.
“The service performance will be closely monitored over three months, and if it proves successful and up to the standard, more vehicles will be deployed in future.”
He added that the RTA “is keen on providing an advanced process and a comprehensive database for a booking and dispatch system enabling the dispatch of vehicles to the concerned parties.
“Another system was also set up for tracking and the geographical positioning of vehicles as these vehicles are intended to serve targeted categories in Dubai emirate.”
According to Dr Ali, Awnak service serves patients who have undergone surgical procedures in hospitals and required to have a rest at home, patients assessed by physicians and referred to hospitals for further treatment, and medical cases that require patients to be transferred from one hospital to another based on a medical recommendation.
The service is considered the first of its type in the region and the third worldwide after the UK and Ireland, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dr. Yousef Al Ali.
“The launch of this service signals the huge attention accorded by the RTA to various community segments — including the disabled and elderly — who have been accorded their full rights and duties.
“All community members are required to care for these segments and provide them with all services to meet their needs and protect their rights as active individuals.”
The design of Awnak vehicles combines the design of a taxi and an ambulance vehicle in a way that meets the standards approved by the RTA and competent bodies.
He said, “About 10 vehicles are being deployed during the initial phase of the service and about 20 drivers are being hand-picked after undergoing training courses in how to deal with various cases.
“The service performance will be closely monitored over three months, and if it proves successful and up to the standard, more vehicles will be deployed in future.”
He added that the RTA “is keen on providing an advanced process and a comprehensive database for a booking and dispatch system enabling the dispatch of vehicles to the concerned parties.
“Another system was also set up for tracking and the geographical positioning of vehicles as these vehicles are intended to serve targeted categories in Dubai emirate.”
According to Dr Ali, Awnak service serves patients who have undergone surgical procedures in hospitals and required to have a rest at home, patients assessed by physicians and referred to hospitals for further treatment, and medical cases that require patients to be transferred from one hospital to another based on a medical recommendation.
“It is also aimed to serve
patients intending to go hospitals or clinics from and to their
domiciles to meet a doctor, in addition to the elderly and the disabled
whose mobility requires vehicles fitted with specific specifications.”
Source : The Gulf Today , 19th May 2014
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