From Mobile ICUs to dedicated maternal and neonatal ambulances
When an emergency happens, every second counts – and Abu Dhabi is taking another step towards making sure patients receive the right care from the very beginning.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) have unveiled a new generation of 18 specialised smart ambulances, each designed around different and often complex medical needs.
The new fleet includes Mobile Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ambulances, maternal and neonatal ambulances, as well as specially equipped vehicles for patients requiring additional mobility and transport support.
Rather than simply getting someone from A to B, these ambulances are being designed as an extension of the healthcare system itself.
Integrated into Abu Dhabi’s Unified Medical Operations Centre (UMOC), they allow emergency teams and specialised medical services to work together throughout the patient journey.
For critically ill patients, the Mobile ICU ambulances come equipped with advanced technology including ultrasound systems, infusion pumps and ventilators, allowing medical teams to provide a higher level of care while the patient is being transported.
There are also dedicated ambulances for mothers and newborns, featuring integrated incubators, ventilators and other specialist equipment to support both mother and baby during an emergency journey.
For patients living with severe obesity, the new ambulances feature specialised loading platforms and stretchers capable of carrying approximately 350kg, making transportation safer and more suited to individual needs.
The idea behind the initiative is simple: the ambulance should no longer be viewed merely as a vehicle that takes a patient to hospital. Instead, it becomes part of the treatment itself.
It is another example of Abu Dhabi’s wider push towards a connected, intelligent and resilient healthcare system, where emergency services and medical teams work together from the very first critical moments, ultimately helping improve patient safety, continuity of care and outcomes.
