Female Saudi ambulance driver behind the wheel

Saudi women are making their mark in all walks of life; including professions that were hitherto considered to be male-dominated as the government continues to seek to empower them.

Sara Al-Anizi is one such Saudi woman who chose to be an ambulance driver. She is one of the first Saudi females working in the profession.

"I have a very good feeling when I put my head on the pillow before sleeping. While I know that I helped after Allah in saving one's life, said Sara who works at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh.

Since early childhood, Sara dreamed of doing medical service. "When I was young, I used to keep band-aids. When anyone had an injury, they would call me for assistance. This was a source of great happiness, especially as my father consolidated the idea that I was the home doctor," she said in a documentary published by the Center for Government Communication while describing her choice of the profession.

Before embarking on her daily work as an ambulance driver, Sara said she checks the vehicle early in the morning before hitting the road.

"I have gained experience and high confidence from driving the ambulance," she said.

For her and other members of the medical team, the outbreak of the new coronavirus was a tough time. "We are the first to deal with the patient," she said. "It was a big challenge. I would look behind and remember my family, children, and my mother without knowing what is in store for me. But Thanks to Allah, I drove patients to the quarantine and was happy for doing this."