Launch of the Emergency Medical Services Volunteer Framework in the Two Holy Mosques: Conditions and Application Process
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced today the launch of the "Ambulance Volunteer Framework" for national societies, as part of a strategic partnership with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. This initiative aims to solidify a culture of professional volunteer work and improve the readiness of field teams within the Two Holy Mosques and their courtyards.
Promoting volunteer work and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This announcement aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers annually in the non-profit sector. The Two Holy Mosques are considered the ideal environment for implementing this vision due to their high population density and the ongoing need for humanitarian and health services. The new framework aims to govern volunteer emergency medical work, ensuring that individual or sporadic efforts are transformed into organized, institutional work that adheres to the highest international standards of quality and safety.
Through this organization, the Authority seeks to unify procedures and integrate efforts among various volunteer entities, to ensure a rapid and effective response to any health emergency that may face the pilgrims, whether during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj, or on ordinary days.
Participation requirements and technical criteria
The authority clarified that the regulatory framework sets precise conditions to ensure the efficiency of the service provided. Volunteer associations wishing to participate must be officially accredited and registered with the relevant authorities in the Kingdom. Regarding personnel, the authority stipulated that the team must include professionally licensed healthcare practitioners or those holding accredited specialized certifications, such as the Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to guarantee professional handling of critical cases.
The authority also stressed the need for full compliance with the protocols and instructions issued by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, to ensure smooth movement and no conflict of tasks.
Responsibilities of associations and application process
The authority clarified that participating ambulance associations will be responsible for providing qualified personnel, as well as the necessary medical and ambulance equipment, in accordance with prior agreements with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. This prior coordination ensures the readiness of field teams to handle various climatic and operational conditions within the Two Holy Mosques.
The Authority called on all voluntary associations that meet the conditions and wish to have the honor of serving the guests of God, to submit an official application that includes team data, available specializations, proposed areas of work, and lists of members’ names, via the designated email: [email protected ]
This framework reflects the Kingdom’s continued commitment to developing the services system within the Two Holy Mosques and strengthening effective partnerships with the third sector, which contributes to enriching the experience of the pilgrims and achieving the highest levels of reassurance and safety for them while performing their rituals.
