25 UAE nationals graduate from National Ambulance's Emirati EMT Programme

• Year 2 graduates to begin work on the frontline in July with emergency medical service

National Ambulance and the University of Sharjah (UOS), yesterday, celebrated the graduation of 25 Emirati students from Year 2 of the Emirati Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Programme with a ceremony at UOS. The programme was established by National Ambulance, in partnership with the University of Sharjah, to provide UAE Nationals with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in the vital medical emergency care and prepare them to serve on the frontline in support of the community. The programme, in line with UAE Government’s Emiritisation plans, has doubled in size since it started and this year’s graduates will begin work on the frontline with National Ambulance in July. 

The ceremony was held at the University of Sharjah’s campus under the patronage of Dr. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Director of UOS, in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer of National Ambulance, Professor Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for the Medical and Health Sciences Colleges at UOS, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Bo Haroun, Director General of the MOI Social Solidarity Fund and Managing Director of Fazaa, Col. Dr. Ali Abu Al-Zoud, representing the Sharjah Police General Command, and a number of officials from the National Ambulance, UOS, strategic partners and graduate’s families.

Eng. Hussein Al Harthi, Chairman of National Ambulance said: “We are very proud of this year’s graduates and their commitment to successfully complete the programme. We are committed to continuously investing in UAE youth’s energies in support of the emiritisation of the emergency pre-hospital care profession and carry on providing the medical sector with qualified Emirati professionals, enhancing the ambulance service.”

In his speech during the graduation ceremony, Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, National Ambulance CEO, expressed his happiness in successfully completing the second year of the programme, stressing the importance of integrating qualified national crews who are well-prepared to work in such vital sector and become an asset to the country.

Al Hajeri also praised the unlimited support given by the UAE leadership towards the programme and the continuous follow-up of Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, as well as the interest received from strategic partners, including; the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health and Prevention and all other programme partners.

He added that this year’s graduates did so in the Year of Tolerance, announced by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to establish the UAE as a global capital for tolerance. The Year of Tolerance is an extension of “Year of Zayed” representing the values of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, who instilled the highest values ​​of tolerance, co-existence, creating dialogue, accepting the other and openness towards other world cultures in his people. 

Al Hajeri stressed that being an EMT is a noble profession with human aspects, based on compassion and helping others. Tolerance is the basic ethic of everyone who practices this profession. He added that National Ambulance deal with more than 200 different nationalities with the principle of work based on the values ​​of professional tolerance, dedication in serving  every person in the UAE, saving his or her life without discrimination, regardless of colour, sex, race, culture or religion.

He also noted that the UAE, through all its institutions, including National Ambulance, aim to achieve excellence in various fields. The Emirati EMT programme takes into account all the standards of excellence in preparing qualified national EMTs to take responsibility in performing the humanitarian duty undertaken by National Ambulance since its establishment.

Professor Qutayba Hamid, Vice Chancellor for the Medical and Health Sciences Colleges at University of Sharjah, said: "For the second year in a row, the University of Sharjah continues to prepare highly qualified Emirati professionals in partnership with National Ambulance to serve every human being in the UAE. The University is committed to academic performance and knowledge development to strengthen the integrated health care system in line with the priorities of the UAE National Vision 2021. This goes in line with these directives, as well as the directives of both H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah and Majoul Al Nuaimi, Director of the University of Sharjah, in constant pursuit to serve the community and improve the quality of life."

Commenting on his experience, Ali Sharaf, an Emirati EMT Graduate, said, “The pride, patriotism and call of duty is what brings us together as practitioners in the field, and we are all dedicated to fulfilling our humanitarian mission and I wish every success to all the Emirati youth who have chosen this field or will join it in the near future.”

Another of the graduates, Moza Al Matlaa’i, said, “I am happy that I have chosen this field. I hope to set an example for young Emiratis and encourage them to join us in continuing this journey and serving all those living in the UAE.”

The third year of the programme, will commence in September and take place over the academic year 2019-2020 at the Clinical and Surgical Training Centre at the University of Sharjah's College of Medicine.  The full-time programme is based on international best practice from both an academic and a practical perspective, and is designed to provide UAE Nationals with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in the field of emergency medical care. The programme provides a professional qualification in pre-hospital care and a guaranteed offer of a job at National Ambulance to those successfully completing it.

National Ambulance provides emergency pre-hospital care in the Northern Emirates through the dedicated 998 emergency ambulance number and NA 998 smart application. Its primary task is to handle public medical emergency response and provide high standards of emergency pre-hospital care to citizens, residents and visitors across the Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah. 

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About National Ambulance

National Ambulance is the leading pre-hospital emergency care provider in the UAE. It was established to serve government and private clients, and commenced operations in 2010.

Supported by a fully integrated Ambulance Communications Centre and utilising an advanced fleet of vehicles, National Ambulance provides medical emergency care to patients across the UAE. Through its dedicated 998 emergency number and 998 App, National Ambulance directly serves the community in the Northern Emirates.

National Ambulance’s specialised team also provides medical coverage at private and public events and patient transfer for those who require transport to or from a medical facility. In addition, the emergency care provider offers health and safety consulting services, as well as training in first aid and other internationally accredited courses.

Through clinical governance, National Ambulance ensures high international standards are maintained so patients receive the best possible care. Excellence at National Ambulance has been recognised through ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification; and its services are internationally accredited through Joint Commission International.

For media information, please contact:
Nour Saifi, National Ambulance
Senior Communications & Media Specialist
nsaifi@nationalambulance.ae
Tel:  +971 56 329 7744

© Press Release 2019