Abu Dhabi, March 09, 2019:  This weekend saw five Emirati women working onsite with the National Ambulance team to provide support for both the national and international community at the Daman World Triathlon Abu Dhabi held at Yas Marina Circuit. The two-day weekend event, welcomed 2,600 amateur triathletes and 112 of the world's best professional triathletes, at the renowned Yas Island venue.

The five Emirati Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), who worked on site alongside National Ambulance crews, actively contributed to the success of the medical emergency provision at the event. They are all graduates of the renowned Emirati EMT programme, which is accredited by the Department of - Abu Dhabi. The programme is part of National Ambulance's commitment towards UAE government’s Emiratisation plans to train and prepare local people to serve on the frontline in support of the community, providing UAE Nationals with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in vital medical emergency care. 

For the third consecutive year, National Ambulance provided emergency medical coverage for the event. The emergency medical provider provided the coverage throughout the weekend through the deployment of a team of 36 qualified staff (Doctors, Paramedics and EMTs) and six ambulances to ensure the safety of the athletes, spectators and participants. 

National Ambulance CEO, Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, said: "In our third year covering this event, our crews and equipment were deployed to ensure professional athletes and all participants from the community were provided with highest level of emergency medical care if and when required. It was also great to see our Emirati EMT females in action working alongside their peers and making a difference in their community on a special occasion like International Women’s Day.”  

The Emirati EMTs, who gained their first practical experience at the same event in 2018 few months before their graduation from the programme, are now working on the front line with National Ambulance in the Northern Emirates. The international major sporting event was again another opportunity for them to represent their country and make a difference by providing emergency care to the participants.  

Mahra Alloghani, Emirati EMT, said: "It’s great to be back again, but this time with much more experience and confidence in looking after patients. I am proud as an Emirati woman to represent my country in front of the international community and showcase that Emirati females can excel in the emergency medical sector. I really enjoy working at such events because they offer us a dynamic experience and give us the chance to enhance our career journey.”

Currently, 26 Emirati students have enrolled in the class of 2018-2019 and are due to graduate in June to join National Ambulance's crews in the Northern Emirates to ensure that the UAE’s general public are looked after and cared for. 

The registration for the third year of the Emirati EMT programme, offered in partnership with the of Sharjah, is now open until 14 April. The programme provides a professional qualification in pre-hospital care and a guaranteed offer of a job at National Ambulance to those successfully completing the programme. Potential candidates interested in applying to the 2019-2020 class should apply by visiting www.nationalambulance.ae/emt to apply and find more information about the programme. 

National Ambulance provides emergency pre-hospital care in the Northern Emirates through the dedicated 998 emergency number and NA998 smart application. National Ambulance also provides onsite emergency medical coverage and support across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This includes short and long-term engagements to cover high profile events, patient transfer and continuous onsite emergency medical support.