In Dubai, if you're a doctor on call and there's a medical emergency, the UAE government has a quick-response service called 'Bin Wraiqa.' This service lets on-call doctors use their cars to get to the hospital faster by avoiding traffic.
The idea is to help them reach emergencies quickly and safely without delays caused by traffic jams. The Ministry of Interior introduced this service in 2020 to ensure that trained doctors can respond swiftly while ensuring everyone's safety on the road.
How The Bin Wraiqa Service Works
Doctors eligible for the 'Bin Wraiqa' service undergo Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Vehicle Training provided by the National Ambulance. They can request this service through the Ministry of Interior's smartphone app, MOI. After completing the application, these doctors can use their private vehicles to respond to a medical emergency.
To alert other drivers and be treated as an emergency vehicle, the doctor can turn on a green strobe light in their car. This light signals other road users to make way for the doctor, allowing them to reach the emergency room quickly and safely.
The service is named 'Bin Wraiqa' in honor of Saeed Bin Wraiqa Al Ameri, born in Al Ain in the early 19th century. He was a close companion of Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the grandfather of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. During a time when even simple diseases could be fatal, Bin Wraiqa, a veteran folk medicine practitioner, played a crucial role in treating people and saving lives.
Who can register for the service?
To register for the 'Bin Wraiqa' service and obtain a license, doctors must meet the following requirements:
✔ The doctor should be employed in one of the medical specializations listed in the service's system, which the service's Special Committee has approved.
✔ The doctor must successfully finish a training course at one of the institutes designated and accredited by the Ministry of Interior.
✔ The doctor must obtain permission to use the service.
✔ The doctor must possess a valid medical license in the UAE.
The service is intended for doctors and paramedics in the UAE in the following specialities:
The 'Bin Wraiqa' service is designed for doctors and paramedics in the UAE specializing in the following:
✔ Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
✔ Consultant Cardiologist
✔ Consultant Neurosurgeon
✔ Consultant Obstetrician
✔ General Surgery Consultant
✔ Consultant Oncologist
✔ Consultant Pediatrician
✔ Consultant Interventional Radiologist
✔ Internal Medicine Consultant Specialist
✔ Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
✔ Intensive Care Consultant Specialist
✔ Consultant in Emergency Medicine
✔ Anesthesiologist
How to Register For The Service
To register for the 'Bin Wraiqa' service, doctors falling under specific categories must follow these steps:
Eligibility Categories:
Doctors involved in medical emergencies, partial or general curfews, instances of traffic congestion or traffic jams, and those summoned from another emirate can qualify for registration.
Registration Process:
Hospitals or accredited health facilities implement the service. Eligible doctors are registered and undergo an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Vehicle Operations Safety course conducted by the National Ambulance Services.
Accessing the Service:
Once registered, doctors gain access to the service through the Ministry of Interior's smartphone application – MOI. The service is integrated into the app's catalog.
Exclusive Access for Qualified Doctors:
The service icon is visible and accessible only to specific doctors entitled to use the 'Bin Wraiqa' service. Only those who meet the criteria can utilize the service when needed.
A New Dh3,000 Emergency Service Fine
Abu Dhabi police will enforce a new fine of Dh3,000 for motorists who fail to give way to emergency services to enhance road and traffic safety. This announcement follows the tragic incident of a 6-year-old boy who fell from the 11th floor in Abu Shagara, Sharjah.
Motorists who obstruct ambulances, police or firefighters may face vehicle impoundment for a month and receive six points on their driving license, which is triple the previous Dh1,000 penalty.
Abu Dhabi Police emphasized the crucial role of yielding to emergency vehicles in improving accident response times. Impeding the movement of these vehicles can hinder or delay ambulances from reaching the injured promptly. In Dubai, around 120 drivers are fined annually for not giving way efficiently.
This new measure reinforces the importance of prioritizing emergency vehicles on the road. It underscores the severe consequences for those who obstruct their path. The move seeks to create a safer environment for emergency responders and enhance public road safety.
Dedicated Lanes Could Slash Emergency Response Times, Experts Say
Road safety experts say dedicated traffic lanes designed for emergency vehicles, buses, and taxis have the potential to reduce response times and alleviate traffic congestion significantly.
Abu Dhabi Police have implemented a Dh400 fine for cars using the right-hand lane on King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. Emergency service chiefs emphasize cultivating a culture where drivers yield to emergency vehicles to enhance response speeds.
As part of ongoing efforts to expedite emergency responses, Dubai has introduced a warning message on car radios to alert drivers to oncoming emergency vehicles. The transmitter, intended to help emergency responders navigate traffic safely, is being fitted across Dubai ambulance vehicles. In the first ten months of the year, over 100 drivers in Dubai were fined for obstructing emergency vehicles.
Emergency service chiefs stress the critical need for dedicated lanes to ensure timely access to accident scenes, potentially preventing fatalities. Saleh Jafar, president of Gulf for YASA road safety, emphasizes the importance of educating drivers on yielding to emergency vehicles.
While allowing buses to use dedicated lanes can improve public transport efficiency, experts acknowledge the need for a comprehensive approach, including options like metro and trains, to reduce overall traffic congestion.
While dedicated lanes are standard in many countries and have been in operation in Dubai for almost a decade, a balance must be struck between enhancing emergency response times and effectively managing traffic flow. Implementing such lanes remains crucial for improving road safety and overall transportation efficiency in the region.
Dubai Drivers Urged to Yield for Emergency Vehicles
Dubai Police have launched an awareness campaign urging drivers to be vigilant and give way to emergency vehicles. The campaign follows a notable increase in fines issued for failure to yield since 2013. There were 162 cases recorded in 2015, an increase from 121 cases in 2014 to 81 cases in 2013. Brig Omar Al Shamsi, the deputy director of the operations department, stressed the importance of acting quickly during emergencies, as every second counts in saving lives.
Violators caught via patrol cameras face a Dh500 fine and accumulate four black points on their driver's license. Dubai Police have proposed increasing the penalty to discourage non-compliance further.
The police force collaborates with Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and private hospitals to swiftly transport accident victims to the nearest medical facility.
Khalifa bin Derai, executive director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, highlighted instances where motorists obstructed ambulances responding to crash sites. He stressed the campaign's importance in making people realize the life-and-death significance of giving way to emergency vehicles. The initiative promotes compliance and facilitates emergency services during critical situations.