Based on a decision issued by the Sharjah Executive Council, the private transportation service for the elderly has been transferred from the Sharjah Police General Command to the Sharjah Social Services Department. Previously, the service was provided in coordination between the two entities. In this context, Kholoud Al Ali, Director of the Department's Elderly Services Center, explained that the goal of this service is to enhance the quality of life for the elderly by facilitating their access to healthcare facilities, reducing the likelihood of health complications resulting from delayed treatment, and supporting their independence in moving around safely and comfortably. She noted that this service differs from emergency services, which deal with critical and life-threatening conditions, which fall under the purview of the National Ambulance Service. The role of the non-emergency transport service focuses on providing vehicles equipped with special supplies, such as wheelchairs, medical beds, and oxygen support systems, along with the presence of a trained crew to ensure the safety and comfort of beneficiaries during the transport process. It's worth noting that this service is available to UAE citizens residing in the Emirate of Sharjah, where transportation services are provided to all hospitals in the country. As for expatriates residing in Sharjah, transportation services are limited to Al Qassimi Hospital and Kuwaiti Hospital, while those in the eastern regions are limited to transportation to Khorfakkan Hospital. Al Ali stated that the number of private transport vehicles currently available is 23, including five vehicles dedicated to providing services in the Eastern Region, while the remaining vehicles operate within Sharjah City. She confirmed that the service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Transportation at the state level, she continued, is essential for transporting individuals who require special care during transportation, such as the elderly, the bedridden, and people with disabilities, whether in the Emirate of Sharjah or the rest of the UAE. The service includes transporting them to their medical appointments or to hospitals for dialysis, which is one of the most common requests. The service can also be used in other situations, such as moving to a new residence or transportation to and from the airport. Beneficiaries' needs are determined by calling the department's toll-free number 800700, where questions regarding service details, such as a medical report, patient ID, medical appointment, and more transportation-related information, are answered. For non-emergency cases, Kholoud Al Ali noted that the service benefits elderly citizens and residents alike, as well as people with disabilities. To ensure that non-emergency medical transport services are provided efficiently and safely, a set of standards and procedures are followed when accepting requests and scheduling appointments. These criteria include an assessment of the patient's health status. The patient must be unable to use regular means of transportation due to a physical disability, chronic illness, bedridden, or wheelchair-bound and require assistance when moving around. The condition must also not be an emergency or life-threatening, as the service is limited to patients with stable conditions that do not require urgent medical intervention. In addition, the desired destination for transportation must be determined, which must be an accredited medical facility such as a hospital, clinic, physical therapy center, or dialysis center, or in cases where transporting the elderly person is difficult, such as moving from one home to another, or from the airport to the home or hospital, or vice versa. Priority: The Director of the Senior Services Center emphasizes the importance of prioritizing cases, with priority given to patients who require routine treatment such as dialysis, feeding tube replacement, or physical therapy. Fixed appointments are scheduled to ensure vehicle availability at the specified times, and priority is given to patients with non-urgent appointments or hospital discharges. The team also works to ensure patient reception times at medical facilities and to provide sufficient time for transfers to ensure that no delays occur.