Al Ketbi: Social initiatives show the importance of solidarity during crises
Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services received 10 upgraded ambulances and 4 state-of-the-art respondent vehicles equipped with emergency devices and tools, as a second batch of vehicles donated by UAE businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor. The first batch was received in October 2020 to assist the Corporation in its efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The first and second batches are part of an initiative by Al Habtoor to provide 50 vehicles to the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, the third and last batch being scheduled for early 2022.
The event was attended by Major General Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai police, His Excellency Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority and Chairman of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and Khalifa Bin Drai, the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. Were also present Sultan Al Habtoor, Mohammad Khalaf Al Habtoor, Ahmad Khalaf Al Habtoor, Sami Riyami and Ali Chahdour.
His Excellency Khalaf Al Habtoor said: “I believe in social responsibility and the need to work hand in hand with the public sector in the service of the homeland and the citizens. These initiatives assist the health authorities in carrying out their duties to the fullest.”
He added: “The UAE state is proving on a daily basis that it is up to the challenges, with the decrease in Covid cases thanks to the measures taken since the beginning of the pandemic.”
His Excellency Awad Saghir Al Ketbi stressed the importance and value of social contributions and initiatives and their role in promoting development goals in general and the health objectives. He pointed out that the Emirati society has a legion of institutions and businessmen that play a great role in supporting the modernization and development of the health sector in Dubai.
Al Ketbi added that the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services recognize these roles and contributions, especially the initiative of UAE businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor who is always keen on supporting the health sector and the Corporation in this global crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He stressed that the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services will never forget these great initiatives by philanthropists whom the Corporation highly appreciates, and that reflect the value of community solidarity, especially in times of crises and emergencies.
His Execellency Khalifa Bin Drai, the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, said: “In fact, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services seeks to develop its services in a manner that shows the efficiency of the health, security, and safety system, and is compatible with Dubai’s global reputation as the safest city in the world. Therefore, we leverage our partnerships with all sectors to help the society and strive to innovate in services as well as in the means of formation of human cadres. We always seek to equip our ambulances and emergency vehicles with the most advanced and easy-to-handle technology in the world.”
He added: “We are here today to say thank you to his Excellency Khalaf Al Habtoor for his continuous support to the health sector in general and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services in particular. This support is favorably reflected in our services in the emergency medical sector.”
He stressed that “large and coordinated efforts are deployed to develop the health sector, leaving a clear and great impact on the communities and institutions.”
Eighteen ambulances with a value of AED 7,520,500 have been delivered last year, while the second batch consisted of 14 vehicles of a value of AED 7,324,000. The third batch consisting of 18 vehicles and amounting to AED 7,586,500 will be delivered in 2022. The total value of the donation is around AED 22,500,000.