Dubai: Is there a patient in your home who needs assistance when being transported to the hospital for appointments or treatment? The DubaiNow app – the official unified government services platform of the city – makes the process safe and seamless through its Patient Transfer feature.
Here’s how to book, and what to expect.
What is the Patient Transfer service?
The Patient Transfer service on the DubaiNow app is a non-emergency medical transportation booking tool that is managed in partnership with the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), the official government agency responsible for providing pre-hospital emergency medical care, patient transport, and crisis response across the emirate.
When you create a transfer request, the patient receives access to a fully equipped ambulance vehicle that is able to safely move the patient from his/her home to a healthcare facility. The service is subject to eligibility, paramedics’ assessment, and prior scheduling with the healthcare facility.
Who is eligible to use the service?
According to the DCAS, the Patient Transfer service is exclusively for non-emergencies. For emergencies, you must contact ambulance services at 998.
The patient must be stable, and their status will be determined by the paramedics who arrive at the transfer pick-up time.
Some examples include:
- Bedridden patients, who require a stretcher for transport.
- Geriatric patients or elderly individuals with limited mobility or chronic conditions.
- Post-surgery patients who are still recovering from operations and cannot move independently.
- Spinal injury patients, who require careful, immobilised transport.
- Dialysis patients, who need scheduled transfers for appointments.
How do I book the Patient Transfer service?
Follow these steps to book the service from the DubaiNow app:
- Download the DubaiNow app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Log in with your UAE PASS.
- Tap on ‘Services’ and select the ‘Health & Medicine’ category. Scroll down and tap on ‘Transfer Patient’.
- Select who you are requesting the service for: yourself, a relative or a friend.
- Enter the required details of the patient, including their personal details, Emirates ID information, reason for transfer, and appointment details (if applicable).
- ‘Submit’ the request for the ambulance.
The processing time is one working day, so bookings must be made in advance.
What is the cost of the Patient Transfer service?
According to the DCAS, here is the standard cost for transferring patients through the ambulance:
For UAE citizens: Free of charge.
For non-citizens:
Patient transport within Dubai by a standard ambulance: Dh500 per trip
Patient transport within Dubai by a specialised or premium ambulance: Dh800 per trip
Patient transport from Dubai to another emirate by a standard ambulance: Dh1,000 per trip
Patient transport from Dubai to another emirate by a specialised or premium ambulance: Dh1,300 per trip
Knowledge and innovation fee: Dh20