Ambulances without licence to face fines in Dubai

Saeeda Butti, head of ambulance services organising section said the decision aims at rectifying the status of private ambulance service institutions.

Private hospitals, polyclinics, clinics and health institutions which have the ambulance service in Dubai should have their service vans licensed, said Dr. Omar Al Saqqaf, director of the medical and technical affairs department at Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS).
"Licencing the van is mandatory and will be made after the ambulance passes the tests related to the equipment, and sterilises its tools and apparatuses," he said.
Dr Al Saqqaf cited the decision issued by the Dubai Executive Council No 30 in 2011 which stipulates that any establishment or a person who practices the ambulance service in private hospitals, medical centres and establishments needs to have a licence from DCAS.
He said the decision is also applicable on first and advanced training centres, diving training centres and private establishments with ambulance vans.
"DCAS had sent warning letters to the establishments saying that hefty fines will be levied on services which run without a licence," he warned.
Earlier, DCAS had asked private health institutions which operate ambulance services to rectify their status, make amendments, get the licence and be qualified enough for the job so they can be in compliance with the provisions of the executive council law.
Saeeda Butti, head of ambulance services organising section said the decision aims at rectifying the status of private ambulance service institutions.
"The corporation grants a grace period to those who fail the check test. They will be given six months time during which the corporation will provide any help," she added.
salah@khaleejtimes.com