HMC launches 4X4 vehicles for desert rescue

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA HAMAD Medical Corporation (HMC) Ambulance Service on Tuesday announced the launch of four new Toyota Landcruiser GX vehicles for working in the desert. The vehicles complement the range of support available from the Ambulance Service in the desert.

The new 4x4s have been operational since the start of the winter camping season.

They are primarily used to transporting injured people from the area of sand dunes to the nearest tarmac road where they will be met by one of the Mercedes Sprint ambulances.

In serious cases the 4x4 unit can also prepare a landing site for Lifeflight, the Ambulance Service’s helicopter wings.

The 4X4s are stationed at the Ambulance Service’s bases in Sealine and Al Udeid.

They are rapid responders and are equipped to provide the essential emergency medical care needed when there is an accident in the desert. In operation since the beginning of the camping season, the 4X4s have already become an integral part of the ambulance fleet.

Rashid Andaila, public relations manager for the Ambulance Service, said, “Often the emergencies in the desert can be a serious trauma where every second counts. This is why the 4x4 vehicles are so important.

They can get to the scene quickly and safely and then arrange for the patient to be transferred to the National Trauma Center located at Hamad General Hospital.” The Trauma Center receives and evaluates more than 5,300 trauma and injured patients each year, of which more than 3,000 are admitted to our hospital for definitive care. From the time of a patient’s arrival, through hospitalization, to discharge and out-patient care, the Trauma Service coordinates with the highly specialized trauma care. Severely injured patients require care from a dedicated multidisciplinary Trauma Team that is lead by trauma surgeons and consists of physicians of various specialties, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other healthcare providers.

Dr Robert Campbell Owen, CEO of the Ambulance Service, said: “Each winter during the camping season we see significant numbers of injuries from desert activities.

This is improving thanks to the work the Ministry of Environment has done to change the road to Sealine, so it is no longer possible to drive onto the road at any point; instead vehicles can only join the road at a point where it is safe to do so.

However, we do still see a large amount of trauma from accidents in this area. The Ambulance Service aims to continuously evolve our service to meet the needs of our community, and the introduction of these new vehicles is a testament to that and our commitment to saving lives.” The Ambulance Service is currently running a campaign to ask the public to ‘Help us Help You’ in which they recognize the support of the public and the will that exists to help save lives. They ask the public to remember five key messages that will help them to save lives: n Dial 999 immediately in a medical emergency. Know your location, so the ambulance can find you easily.

n Answer all questions on the call so the ambulance knows what support you need.

n Follow all instructions given by the emergency call handler, it may help save a life.

n Give way to ambulances on the road.

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