Doha, Qatar: The Ambulance Service at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has successfully maintained seamless operations throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan and has set a comprehensive plan to manage potential emergencies during Eid Al Fitr holidays.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Ali Darwish, Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service, explained that the arrangements for the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid Al Fitr holidays were based on previous data and common incident patterns.
“To provide easy access to effective care, the Ambulance Service is committed to ensuring uninterrupted service during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Eid holidays. We make evidence-based decisions guided by previous data, which are analysed by a computer system,” Darwish said, noting that peak times during Ramadan have shifted.
He further explained that more vehicles are dispatched during Ramadan in the evening and at night compared to the morning hours.
According to Darwish, this year during Ramadan, medical emergencies were more frequent than trauma cases, with a noticeable decrease in road accidents. The Ambulance Service will continue to operate 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week for people requiring emergency medical assistance during Eid holidays. Peak operation times for the Ambulance Service will return to normal once Ramadan ends.
Many ambulances and paramedics will be stationed at locations likely to attract large crowds and heavy traffic, especially as people enjoy the extended Eid holidays. “During the Eid holidays, the Ambulance Service prioritises coverage for key areas and public gathering spots,” Darwish added.
Additional ambulances will be deployed to locations such as the Corniche, Aspire Park, Katara, Souq Waqif, Sealine beach, Gahariya, Al Wakra, Semaisima, popular camping sites, and other events or celebrations based on specific requests.
The Ambulance Service will also be present at Eid prayer grounds, the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque, the Abu Samra border crossing, and Hamad International Airport, anticipating increased travel during the Eid Al Fitr holidays.
The Ambulance Service receives around 800 calls per day and operates from 65 stations, with a total fleet of 120 ambulances of various types. This includes vehicles designated for ambulance supervisors and paramedics to handle critical cases. Another 70 ambulances are allocated to scheduled patient transfers, including those for dialysis patients or inter-facility transfers.
Additionally, three LifeFlight helicopters from the Ambulance Service will be deployed to transport critical cases during the holidays.
