Arab Health 2025: Dubai ambulances to deploy facial recognition in emergency service

App will identify unconscious patients or individuals without ID

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The system will pull up information about the patient. Seen here is a model of an ambulance patient at DCAS stand at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai.
The system will pull up information about the patient. Seen here is a model of an ambulance patient at DCAS stand at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai.
Amna Alansaari/Gulf News

Dubai: Soon, residents may not have to produce their Emirates ID to avail of ambulance services in Dubai as Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) is set to launch a facial recognition system by mid-2025.

Designed to enhance patient care and streamline emergency response, the app will enable paramedics identify unconscious patients or individuals without ID by scanning their faces and retrieving their records. This, in turn, enables hospitals to prepare for incoming patients even before they arrive, improving treatment outcomes, DCAS officials told Gulf News at Arab Health 2025.

“Sometimes it’s very hard to recognise patient identity, especially if they’re unconscious and have no ID. This app solves that by using facial recognition to instantly pull up patient information,” explained Marwan Ali Anbar, chief AI officer and ambulance operations consultant at DCAS.

The system integrates with the Emirates ID database and other secure platforms, ensuring quick and accurate identification.

While primarily aimed at unidentified patients, future plans include expanding the technology for all emergency cases to speed up response times. “It is easier and faster than physically scanning Emirates ID. That said, we don’t deny ambulance services to people without ID. Having data linked to the ID helps with quicker access to medical records,” he explained.

DCAS App for community

Complementing the facial recognition project is an updated AI-powered SOS application by DCAS. This app provides preliminary medical advice to help users determine whether an ambulance is required for minor health concerns. It also features tutorials for handling emergencies like choking or fever before paramedics arrive.

“The idea is to reduce unnecessary ambulance dispatches for non-critical cases while empowering the community with vital first-aid knowledge,” said Anbar.

Residents can input symptoms into the app, which uses AI to provide step-by-step guidance. The revamped SOS app focusing on community training and resource optimisation is also expected to launch in the second half of 2025.

Dashboard for data-driven insights

Another initiative being demonstrated at Arab Health involves a centralised database to track emergency cases and optimise resource allocation. The dashboard records details such as the number and type of cases, enabling authorities to allocate ambulances and medical resources effectively. “This data helps us identify critical hotspots, improve resource planning, and even guide health research,” the official said.

These cutting-edge technologies aim at improving emergency response, community engagement, and healthcare efficiency, he added.

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