Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia have been receiving praise for their efforts and thanked for the real risk they are putting themselves each day to save others. Last week, as part of efforts to support the Kingdom’s healthcare workers, ride-sharing app Uber has announced the launch of Uber Medics.
Uber Medics, which is found within the Uber app, provides 25 percent cheaper rides to medical staff and care home organizations by not taking Uber’s share of the profits from these trips while still ensuring all drivers receive the same fares on Uber Medics trips as normal Uber trips.
#GoodToKnow: Healthcare workers in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province can benefit from a 25 percent discount off Uber rides to and from their workplaces as part of the new Uber Medics initiative. pic.twitter.com/kCyTzx02Go
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) May 20, 2020
Speaking on the launch in the Kingdom, Mohammad Gazzaz, general manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia, said, “We are proud to launch Uber Medics in Saudi Arabia, and to do our part to support healthcare workers who are working tirelessly and play a key role in protecting us during this pandemic. We are deeply committed to helping flatten the curve in the cities we operate in, and to supporting our local communities during these difficult times.
“Leveraging and building on our global expertise locally, we will continue to do our utmost to help healthcare workers have access to reliable and affordable transportation at the touch of a button,” he continued.
According to the ride-sharing app, Uber Medics came about after many drivers asked how they could provide help to those who need it during the pandemic. Aside from creating a model in which drivers still benefit and healthcare workers are provided a vital service for less, Uber is also providing drivers with free protective masks and gloves to wear while driving, and have provided key safety tips and procedures to its entire fleet.
