UAE Unveils First Rail Ambulance to Boost Emergency Response in Remote Areas

The UAE has introduced its first rail ambulance, a specialized emergency vehicle designed to operate directly on railway tracks, promising faster medical access to remote desert regions and hard-to-reach locations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Developed locally by Naffco, the rail ambulance integrates standard American ambulance specifications with an innovative rail gear system, enabling it to travel where conventional road ambulances face limitations due to terrain or distance.

Designed for an Expanding Rail Network-

The initiative aligns with the rapid expansion of the UAE–Saudi railway network, anchored by Etihad Rail’s 900-kilometre line connecting Ghuweifat on the Saudi border to Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast. As rail infrastructure continues to grow, the new ambulance model is expected to play a critical role in emergency response along railway corridors and in isolated areas.

Etihad Rail’s upcoming passenger service, scheduled to open in phases this year, will connect 11 stations across all seven emirates. The project also forms a central component of the wider GCC Railway, which aims to link all six Gulf countries by 2030, potentially enhancing cross-border emergency medical response capabilities.

Rail-Enabled Emergency Mobility-

Speaking at the World Health Expo (WHX), Mohammed Abdul Jabbar, Sales Account Manager at Naffco FZCO, explained that the ambulance is built to American standards. “This box-type ambulance follows American regulations and specifications exactly,” he said, noting the difference between European and American ambulance designs.

The vehicle is equipped with a rail gear system installed at the front, inspired by locomotive technology. When deployed, the system lifts the ambulance’s tires, allowing it to travel directly on railway tracks without relying on standard road wheels.

“When it gets on the railway track, the rail gear system deploys, the tyres lift, and it runs entirely on the rail system,” Jabbar explained. Each ambulance is fitted with a single rail gear unit, making it uniquely adapted for use across the UAE’s expanding rail infrastructure.

Fully Equipped for Emergency Care-

Despite its specialized mobility, the rail ambulance offers the same level of medical readiness as a standard emergency vehicle. It includes oxygen and vacuum systems, DC and AC power outlets, waste and sharps containers, insulated windows, foldable steps, and extensive internal and external storage.

Medical equipment includes a main stretcher, stair chair, scoop and folding stretchers, AED, portable ventilator, spine board, traction splint, suction unit, trauma and first-aid kits, along with essential patient-care supplies such as blankets and sanitising materials.

Locally Built, Globally Engineered-

The ambulance is fully manufactured in the UAE, with only select rail components imported from Europe. “We purchase the truck chassis from Ford, and everything else the full ambulance system is built locally by Naffco,” Jabbar said, highlighting the country’s growing capabilities in advanced emergency vehicle manufacturing.

As rail connectivity expands across the UAE and the wider Gulf region, the introduction of rail ambulances marks a significant step forward in emergency healthcare innovation, particularly for serving remote and underserved areas.