The UAE’s National Ambulance and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) have signed an agreement to collaborate to train and recruit a new generation of UAE national emergency medical technicians.

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, HCT President and CEO, and Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, National Ambulance CEO, remotely signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the attendance of officials from both parties and HCT students who attended the virtual open day.

Under the agreement, the parties will collaborate to annually provide sponsorship, training and employment opportunities for up to 20 students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.

The collaboration comes as a result of both parties’ sustainable commitment to the support and empowerment of young Emiratis to boost Emiratization efforts in the field of pre-hospital emergency medical services, while raising healthcare standards in line with national strategies. In addition, both parties will develop program content and collaborate to undertake academic and applied research in topics relevant to emergency services.

Al Hajeri said: “Covid-19 has confirmed that the health and safety of our community is paramount. Only by working together can we defeat the pandemic and build the health resources that ensure our safety, now and in the future.”

“After three years of establishing the Emirati Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, National Ambulance is now looking at the comprehensive development of the program by formulating a new approach in the implementation of its scope.

“By working together with reputable academic institutions, such as HCT, which have an existing EMS program and extensive experience in EMS teaching, we can move forward in our plans for Emiratization for EMS workers, which will support the development of this vital sector by providing it with qualified national EMS workers that serve both present and future needs,” he added.

Al Hajeri also noted that there will be further partnerships with other academic institutions in support of the Emiratization of the UAE medical sector in the country.

Dr Al Shamsi said: “HCT has implemented strategies to attract more local students to our Health Sciences programs to meet the future requirements of the country. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how the health sector represented the first line of defence in facing this pandemic and reflects the increasing importance of this vital sector in safeguarding the security and safety of society.”

HCT’s EMS program is offered in its Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah campuses with a current enrolment of 278 students and a total of 143 male and female graduates, to date.

Under the two-year MOU, the collaboration will focus on enhancing the EMS program and its training facilities, with the formation of a joint working team to oversee the program’s ongoing success. These endeavours will also include providing opportunities for HCT students and faculty to participate in academic and applied research initiatives by National Ambulance, as well as organizing events and conferences. – TradeArabia News Service