Proud to be in the field, says Qatar’s first female paramedic

Qatar has consistently raised the bar for women empowerment in the society with many women holding top positions within their organizations and performing tasks previously only undertaken by men.

The country’s first female paramedic, Fathia Zaalani, adds to the list of super talented women that have done the nation proud.

Working at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulance service, Zaalani says she feels rushing to the scene of a traffic accident, fire, or call from someone’s home who has had an emergency is something she has an inborn desire for.

Ms. Fathia Zaalani, a paramedic with Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulance Service, says rushing to the scene of a traffic accident, fire, or call from the home of someone who has had a heart attack comes naturally to her. https://t.co/WuoIHwkwtl pic.twitter.com/uBnKvi0KtX

— Hamad Medical Corp. (@HMC_Qatar) March 2, 2019

For her this is not just duty, but quite literally who she is.

With 19 years of experience as a paramedic, Zalaani is also the first female ambulance driver in the country, reported the Gulf Times.

“Almost twenty years ago, in 2000, I came to Doha after completing my studies in Tunisia. I joined HMC’s Ambulance Service, becoming the first female paramedic. I later became an assistant critical care paramedic and then my manager suggested I drive the ambulance so I underwent the intensive training necessary to acquire this license,” Zaalani related.

Driving an ambulance is normally a profession reserved for men and while she initially found it challenging to be a woman in the profession, Zaalani says racing to the scene to help those most in need satiates her yearning to help.

“I remember the first time I drove the ambulance. People on the streets were surprised to see me. I could see it in their eyes. I could see the amazement on the faces of the motorists I shared the roads with. But then I noticed people began saluting me,” Zalaani said, adding that people often wave and cheer her on.

“Worldwide, the paramedic field remains a male-dominated profession. Yet, it is clear from the example of Ms. Zaalani that regardless of gender, paramedics make an enormous contribution to the communities they serve,” highlighted Brendon Morris, Executive Director for the HMC Ambulance Service.

Her experience in Ambulance Service has made her a better driver and a more capable paramedic, Zalaani described.

“I think women are natural problem-solvers. We are multi-taskers and can make critical decisions under pressure,” she said. She further encouraged women to look into this career saying they can truly excel in it.

In addition to her responsibilities with the Ambulance Service, Zaalani also works with the National Command Center (NCC), the organization responsible for managing a coordinated response to both local and national emergencies, according to The Peninsula. 

She is the first woman to join the NCC as a senior supervisor in the Ambulance Service Medical Communication Center, training new supervisors and representing her organization locally and internationally.

Have you spotted her while driving on Doha's roads? Let us know in the comments below!

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Cover Image Credit: Gulf Times