Ministry of State for Interior Affairs launches emergency contact service for deaf

Director General of Public Security (DGPS) Staff Maj. Gen. Saad bin Jassim Al-Khulaifi, Adviser to HE the Minister Maj. Gen. Dr. Abdullah Al-Mal, National Command Centre chief Staff Brig. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, director of Qatar Social Cultural Centre for the Deaf (QCSCD) Ali Al-Sanari, director of customer service department at Qtel Ahmed Al-Muhannadi, MoI department directors and members of the QCSCD attended the launching ceremony.

"We are proud today to launch this service that is unprecedented in the Middle East and it shows the concern of the Ministry of Interior toward equal rights and access for all segments of the community and communicating with appropriate means," said Brig. Al-Suwaidi addressing the occasion.

He thanked all who contributed to translate this achievement into reality which was a fruitful outcome of the cooperation between the Ministry and Qtel Telecommunications Company.

He further added that this service will enable the deaf to contact the operation room in emergencies (ambulance, rescue, fire) through three means; video calling, SMS and email. Sign language experts have been made available in the centre round the clock to handle the calls.

The Minister of State for Interior Affairs HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani said in a statement that the launch this service for the deaf confirms the keenness of the State of Qatar on human and equal rights in the first place. It also shows the extent of the technological evolution at the Ministry to provide advanced services and meet the needs and aspirations of citizens and residents.

His Excellency the Minister said that the ministry is working hard to employ most advanced technology to provide advanced services for all segments of the community.

"The Ministry is aware of its responsibility towards the people with hearing disabilities and it believes in their right to live in security and peace of mind by providing all the ways to communicate between them and the Ministry of Interior. That is why we have launched this service," said HE the Minister.

Director General of Public Security (DGPS), Maj. Gen. Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi said that the Ministry of Interior is working hard to provide advanced services to all segments of society and it includes people with hearing disabilities.

He pointed out that the project was on the table since long time but wanted to be perfect service before it is launched. The service was launched in coordination and continuous cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Telecom (Qtel).

"This service provides equal access in provision of emergency service for normal people as well as the Deaf. The new service provides equal opportunity for people with disabilities, while they are in any unforeseen circumstances," said HE the DGPS.

He also pointed out that the service ensures protection and preservation of information, confidentiality and privacy of the caller while being exposed to any exigent circumstances.

How to Use the Emergency Services for the Deaf

The Ministry of Interior is keen to provide its services to various segments of the society in a modern and innovative way at an excellent performance standard. This 'Emergency Service for the Deaf' is one of the services offered by the Ministry to deal with deaf and ensure quick response to their calls in case of facing any emergency situation in a modernistic way round the clock. The service is offered on the number '992'.

The deaf people can communicate with this service by calling '992' using 3G enabled devices from computer or mobile phone, sending SMS to 992.

One of the main condition for the availability of this service is the caller should be a deaf. When sending an SMS, the sender should mention clearly the type of the problem and service needed such as 'Ambulance, civil defense and police'. In addition to this, the name of the sender along with the address and the injuries or deaths if occurred should be mentioned.

Before, the emergency services for the deaf were carried out with the help of Qatar Social Cultural Centre for the Deaf (QCSCD) and with this service the deaf people can directly contact the operations room.