Dubai introduces pink ambulance for women

Pilipino doctor Maria Lagbes (L) and a driver stand next to a pink ambulance of the Women Responders team in Dubai. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

The color pink has been used to represent woman for centuries. Anything with the color pink was automatically thought to have something to do with women. Apparently, authorities in Dubai have taken this unwritten rule very seriously.

After starting a pink taxi service ten years ago, a service that only served females, they have taken another step of introducing pink ambulances this Saturday which are specifically dedicated to help woman in need.

Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) introduced the pink ambulance, which will be used to help woman in emergency whether it’s labor, injury or any kind of medical care. The pink ambulance will also help children under 12 year age.

Four female paramedics will be stationed in each pink ambulance according to the executive director of DCAS.

The ambulance service is mainly started for child birth emergency but it will respond to any emergency situation when there is a female involved.

The pink ambulance is currently under trial covering only one neighborhood. However, the service can be expanded to more neighborhoods in a few months if it turned out to be a success.

All of the drivers and paramedic have taken special courses and undergone training in medical care at the Latifa Hospital for women.

The purpose of this project is to give women of Dubai a comfortable environment. The pink ambulance has been on 25 errands so far, none of it a very high level emergency.

While the temperature of Dubai reaches 50 degree centigrade the medics are eager to help the female community of Dubai and are getting very positive feedback.

The ambulance will initially be based in the Al Twar Municipality Centre

Palestinians celebrate and clash with Israeli police after removal of controversial security measures on Al-Aqsa gates

An injured woman is being carried on a stretcher after clashes broke out inside Al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound [Ahamd Gharabli/AFP]

After a two-week protest and praying outside of the Al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli authorities yielded to the Muslim protesters and removed all controversial security devices installed at the entrance of the compound.

Israeli police had installed security cameras and metal detectors on the Muslim entrances of the compound leading to Al Aqsa after two Israeli policemen were killed by a Palestinian gunman on July 14th. The Israeli authorities also stated that anyone below the age of 50 was not allowed to offer Friday prayers in the mosque.

The move was severely criticized by Muslim religious and political leaders alike and they refused to pray inside the compound until the coercive security measures were taken back.

Thousands of Muslims worshiped on the streets outside Al Aqsa mosque in protest and clashed with Israeli police which resulted in the killing of at least six Palestinians, with as many injured.

Palestinians celebrated the decision of Israeli authorities to take back the controversial security measures. They danced and sang in front of the police personnel who removed cameras, metal detectors and steel barriers that were installed.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Jerusalem Mufti, Mohammed Hussein, in Ramallah and called it a victory for Palestinians.

‘’We will be able to offer prayers inside the compound,” said Abdel-Azeem Salhab, director of the Islamic Waqf Council which administers al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

“The Israeli occupation forces have been trying for decades to violate Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Now, you are living in the new era of victory. We totally appreciate the masses who have been gathering”.

The protests have also been noted to have given the Palestinians living in the west wing of Jerusalem, which is occupied by Israel, a certain air of unity and hope. However, violent clashes broke out between Israeli police and Palestinians celebrating the removal of the controversial security devices.

Israeli police used stun grenades to disperse thousands of Muslims gathered to offer prayers inside the Al Aqsa mosque. The Palestinian Red Crescent said as many as 120 Palestinians were hurt as a result, including some by rubber bullets and beatings.

“Several people suffered broken bones”, they said.