Doctors in the UAE who respond to life-threatening emergencies can now bypass certain traffic rules, thanks to a unique service called the ‘Bin Wariqa Service’.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior, allows approved doctors to use their own cars to reach hospitals quickly during urgent medical calls. It’s designed to help save lives by cutting down emergency response times.

What is the Bin Wariqa Service?

The service was introduced in July 2020 under the direction of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. It gives registered doctors special road privileges, including:

• Driving up to 40 km/h over the speed limit
• Using the hard shoulder
• Getting live support from traffic patrols

The idea is to ensure doctors can reach patients faster, even during heavy traffic.

Who can use it?

To qualify, doctors must:

• Belong to one of 13 approved critical medical specialities
• Be licensed
• Get Ministry approval
• Complete emergency driving training

How does it work?

When a doctor gets an emergency call:

1. They activate the service on the Ministry’s smart app (moiuae).
2. Their trip is tracked by the operations room, which helps guide them through traffic.
3. A green triangle device called a “lawah” is placed on their car to alert other drivers that it’s an emergency.

Keeping roads safe

The service is carefully monitored under Ministerial Resolution No. 248 of 2020. It ensures that doctors use special routes like road shoulders and bus lanes safely and only when needed. Live coordination with traffic teams ensures safety for everyone on the road.

Strong support from the medical community

So far, 97 per cent of eligible doctors have registered for the service, and it’s already helping reduce response times by up to 30 per cent.

A nod to medical heritage

The service is named after Saeed bin Wariqa Al Amri, a historic figure known for his work in traditional medicine and his service to the UAE’s founding leaders. It’s a modern tribute to the country’s deep respect for medical professionals.

A new centre has opened in Abu Dhabi to care for people living with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. The Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Centre was launched by Burjeel Holdings at Burjeel Medical City.

The centre is designed to give complete, long-term care to people with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. It has:

• Outpatient clinics
• A blood transfusion unit open 7 days a week
• Advanced tests to check iron levels in the heart and liver
• Genetic testing is done on-site

Patients are treated by doctors with many years of experience in both adult and children’s care. The centre also connects to other Burjeel hospitals across the UAE, making it easier for more people to access treatment.

Prof. Khaled Musallam, Director of the Centre, said: “Our goal is to make this a top centre in the region for treating rare blood diseases. We’re not just treating symptoms, we want to improve our patients’ lives through personalised and advanced care.”

The centre will also work with a nearby research centre to help patients join international clinical trials. This gives them access to new treatments, including possible cures.

The opening took place under the patronage of Sheikha Shaikha bint Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Emirates Thalassemia Society and wife of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. Several guests, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and leaders from Burjeel and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, attended the ceremony.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started using drones to clean the outside of metro and tram stations. This new idea, launched with Keolis MHI, the company that runs and maintains the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, is part of RTA’s efforts to use smart and sustainable technology.

This is a big change from the usual way of cleaning station facades, which often needs up to 15 workers per station. The drone method needs only 8 people, cutting manpower by more than half and reducing the risks that come with working at heights or in hard-to-reach areas.

Mohammed Al Ameeri, Director of Maintenance at RTA’s Rail Agency, said: “This project shows our commitment to trying new technologies that keep workers safe, use fewer resources, and help protect the environment. Using drones for cleaning is a smart way to maintain our stations and support Dubai’s sustainability goals.”

He also explained that drones use less water and reduce the need for workers to be in risky spots. “Working with Keolis MHI on this trial brings new opportunities. As we improve these automated tools, we can keep making our transport systems safer and greener,” he added.

The drone trial is already giving useful insights. While traditional cleaning still offers better results in some areas, drones are showing great potential. RTA and Keolis MHI are now looking into combining both methods to get the best results, more efficient, safe, and eco-friendly.

Vikas Sardana, Chief Operating Officer at Keolis MHI, said: “We’re proud to support RTA’s goals and Dubai’s vision for a smart and green city. This drone project is a step forward in making public transport safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”

He added: “The trial also supports Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Smart Dubai initiative. It’s part of our mission to bring smart technology to city services and help shape the future of urban transport.”