Motorists who fail to move out of the way for ambulances remains the biggest obstacle facing the emergency service in Abu Dhabi, it has been reported.
According to a report in the National, people’s lives are being put at risk by thoughtless drivers who are reluctant to pull to the side of the road to let ambulance teams past.
Paramedics told the paper they see drivers move out of the way for police because they are scared to get a fine, but not for them, regardless that someone’s life could be in danger.
However, despite motorists and congestion causing problems, ambulance response times across the UAE capital have improved, medical officials said.
Dr Nejeeb Oweis, a rescue worker, told the paper, “advanced medical teams” which include a doctor and can provide a higher level of care, have improved the resuscitation success rate by 50 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2009.
New ambulance stations are also planned to make distances shorter for paramedic teams. Five stations in Zaafarana, Al Manhal, Al Mina, Al Rawda and Al Bateen serve the city, but officials plan to set up in heavily congested areas like the Tourist Club and Khalidiya, the paper reports.
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