Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Inspired by the humanitarian legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Dr. Taisser Atrak arrived in Abu Dhabi 17 years ago with one mission in mind: to give more than he receives.
At Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), he is the chairman of paediatrics. But to many families in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Atrak is best known as a tireless advocate for child safety and a volunteer educator.
After moving to the UAE in 2008, he began noticing a pattern in the emergency cases at the hospital: a large number of children were arriving with serious, though preventable, injuries from car accidents.
At the time, data from the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi revealed that traffic accidents were the leading cause of fatal injuries among children in the emirate, according to Dr. Atrak.
He decided to do something about that by launching a grassroots safety campaign focused on preventing injuries in children on the road, at home, and in schools.
Dr. Atrak used his own resources to buy teaching materials and fund workshops offering hands-on training at schools, universities, and nurseries.
Over the years, hundreds of nannies, parents, schoolteachers, and even bus drivers were trained for free in paediatric first aid, CPR, and child car seat safety.
With support from government entities and the media spotlight his campaign drew, the initiative expanded dramatically.
“We started by distributing 1,000 car seats for free. This inspired others. Soon, over 25,000 car seats were given out by public hospitals,” Dr. Atrak told Aletihad. “Awareness started to grow, and so did impact.”
In 2011, his work earned him one of the UAE’s highest civilian honours, the Abu Dhabi Award.
“That moment was overwhelming,” he recalled. “The great honour came with an even greater responsibility. When you’re an Abu Dhabi Award recipient, people listen. Doors open. You must rise to that trust.”
Now 66, the veteran paediatrician is looking ahead to retirement — not to rest, but to give more.
“I can’t stop; I’ll volunteer full time to do community work, like teaching families how to do CPR, use car seats, and ensure home safety,” he said.
“My job is to wake up every morning to save lives. When I retire, I want to be sure that I used my life, and my knowledge, for good,” he added. “That drive to give, it comes from the UAE itself, from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed. He inspired me deeply. I came here determined to follow in his footsteps.”
Dr. Atrak is currently advocating for a policy that prevents hospitals from discharging newborns unless the family has a car seat in hand.
“If we implement that, then I’d feel peace,” he said. “I’d know I’ve done my part.”
Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on traffic control rules mandates that children up to four years of age must be provided with a child safety seat. Failure to comply will result in a fine of Dh400 and four black points.
Nominate a Community Hero for Abu Dhabi Awards
Nominations for this year’s Abu Dhabi Awards are now open. Individuals from across the UAE are invited to nominate inspirational people that have made a meaningful and selfless contribution to the community.
Open year-round the process is accessible to all through the Abu Dhabi Awards digital platform. Recipients are chosen based on a range of factors, but a single nomination is all it takes to be considered for a prestigious Abu Dhabi Award.
To nominate an individual making a positive difference, please visit: www.abudhabiawards.ae.
