Emirati paramedics win growing acceptance

• From left: Fatima Nasser, Fahd Al Sa’adi, Yousuf Al Kayaf and Hussain Al Jasmi, fresh paramedic graduates at the Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services.
• Image Credit: Karen Dias/Gulf News

Dubai: Clad in their bulky uniforms and armed with visible determination, the newly emerging Emirati paramedics are fighting stereotypes every day to save lives.

Speaking to Gulf News, four Emirati paramedics shared their stories and woes on what it feels like to be among the 5 per cent of Emirati paramedics working in the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS).

Out of the 702 paramedics and medics working at DCAS, only 42 are Emiratis.

"People often looked down on the profession, especially people from my community," said Faisal Al Sa'adi, a 24-year-old paramedic who has been working since 2009.

"When I used to tell people what I was studying, they would either ridicule me or ask me if it was a wise choice to choose paramedics as a career. I'm glad to see that view is finally changing."

Al Sa'adi initially wanted to join the police force, but the novelty of a career in paramedics urged him to change his plans and choose to save lives instead.

"Back then I wasn't really proud telling people that I was studying to be a paramedic. But now I've started working and see the appreciation from the public, I see the difference. There are Emiratis who personally thank me for helping a relative or a friend. The community is finally understanding our role and appreciating our profession."

Hussain Al Jasmi agrees with his colleague that the public view is definitely changing, especially amongst the Emirati community.

"Although we are a minority in DCAS, I can see that people's views are changing," said the 24-year-old who was looking at a future in medicine but was attracted to the excitement of paramedics. "Some of our patients are so happy to see us, they try to give us money or gifts. Of course we can't accept these, but we are glad to see the appreciation."

Not for the faint-hearted

Al Jasmi believes that although there are opportunities for Emiratis to take up unconventional professions, they still need to be passionate about saving lives to consider a career in paramedics.

"This job is not for the faint-hearted," Al Jasmi explained. "You have to be strong-willed and care about the patient as if he was family and not just some stranger. The first time I saw a severed hand, I couldn't eat for a week. I always thought of myself as capable of handling such situations but in reality it can be more daunting. If you don't have the strength and passion for it, don't bother." Out of the 55 students who have enrolled in the programme since 2003, only 42 have graduated. The student drop-out rate is often attributed to the difficulty of the course material and the language barrier.

"Studying the required material was extremely difficult. It was advanced English which many of us were not exposed to in our public schools," said 24-year-old Yousuf Al Kayaf. "Another reason was the ambiguity of our future in the profession. Many of us came from a police background so we knew the benefits and expectations of being in the police force. Being a paramedic was new; it didn't feel like a secure profession to many."

Emirati women are also taking the plunge and joining the profession. According to DCAS, out of the 42 Emirati registered paramedics, 18 Emirati women are currently working as full-time paramedics.

"I always encourage Emirati women around me to consider this as a career instead of opting for a desk job," said 26-year-old Fatima Nasser. "I am married and still find time to fit in my family life with my career. I love being in the field and can't imagine going behind a desk again."

The fourth batch that is planned to graduate later this year illustrates society's acceptance of women taking up jobs as paramedics. Out of the 18 students of the fourth batch studying at DCAS, 14 are women.

"Emirati society is now more accepting of their daughters, sisters and wives taking up an unconventional job such as being a paramedic. At the beginning it was difficult to recruit women but we have noticed the shift finally," said Dr Omar Al Saqqaf, Technical Support Director at DCAS.

Plans to expand campaigns

Dubai: Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services hopes the rate of Emiratisation in the paramedic field reaches 100 per cent by 2020.

"I think the number of students enrolled in the programme does not meet our ambition and we strive to increase the number to comply with our plan for Emiratisation of this profession by expanding its promotional campaigns and improving its programmes," said Dr Omar Al Saqqaf, Technical Support Director at Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS).

Currently, out of the 702 paramedics and medics working at DCAS, only 42 are Emiratis.

"We are planning to recruit more students in every batch plus increase the number of classes so we can have as many graduates as possible in order to achieve the department's goal of having 100 per cent Emirati paramedics by 2020," said Al Saqqaf.

The programme which will provide the students with full sponsorship during the four years of study will also grant them a bachelor's degree in Paramedic Sciences.