As part of its endeavour to cementing relations with government entities for the benefit of the public, the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) to promote cooperation in conducting operational medical tests for “School Driver” job applicants as per the new school transport regulations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
As per the agreement signed by Mohammed Hareb Al Yousef, Executive Director at the DoT, and Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, The Director General, the Director General Office, SEHA, SEHA Healthcare Services has allocated and equipped some clinics, namely Al Madina Occupational Health Center in Abu Dhabi and the Disease Prevention and Screening Center in Al Ain to conduct medical tests and check-ups for all school bus driver applicants and issue a report highlighting if they are fit for the job or not.
Drivers working on school bus fleets are now able to apply for operational medical tests at the above-mentioned clinics but with certain requirements such as the UAE residence, filling a special form on the DoT’s website, booking in a test appointed on the phone, and bringing in the original passport. Once the applicants pass all the required tests, a medical certificate addressed to Driver and Vehicle Licensing, Abu Dhabi Police, will be issued, allowing applicants to complete the needed documents to have their school bus driver licenses issued.
Tests to be conducted by SEHA’s Healthcare Services include vision check-up (visual acuity and colour vision), complete blood count, Hepatitis B surface antigen, fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin, renal function test, audiometry and electrocardiogram. The aim of these tests is to ensure the applicant is not suffering from diseases that affect their performance such as heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, epilepsy, neurological and psychological disorders, kidney or liver diseases, leprosy, whilst ascertaining they enjoy very good vision and hearing capabilities to perform their duties proficiently.
As part of the agreement, both parties will jointly work through periodic meetings to coordinate efforts aimed at the implementation of the items of the MoU whilst ensuring it will bring favourable benefits for the DoT and SEHA.
Mohammed Hareb Al Yousef said: “This agreement was the outcome of both parties’ cooperation and commitment to mobilising all available resource to achieve best results for the school transport initiative. The school transport regulations are one of the strategic initiatives launched by School Transport Committee in Abu Dhabi with an aim to ensure highest level and standards of safety, security and convenience for students in their daily transportation to and from schools, thereby helping a provide a better education experience for them.” Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, Chief Executive Officer of the SEHA Ambulatory Healthcare Services, said: “School Transport Regulations is one of the key strategic initiatives that will bring about a wide spectrum of social and academic benefits for Abu Dhabi in the long run. SEHA will make available all its expertise and resources to ensure the success of the initiative by working closely with the DoT and the School Transport Committee to address their needs of school bus driver tests.” The Department of Transport issued in April 2012 the school bus transport regulations for Abu Dhabi Emirate-based schools. Under the new regulations, drivers should have a certificate of good conduct from the UAE or the country of their previous employment as a condition needed by all school bus drivers to perform their duties.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
