The volunteer health program during Hajj: Inspiring stories of serving pilgrims
This year's Hajj season witnessed a living embodiment of the highest values of humanitarian giving, as hundreds of young Saudis participated in of the Hajj Volunteer Health Program . Organized by the Primary Healthcare Charitable Association (Dirham Wiqaya) under the direct supervision of the Ministries of Health and Hajj and Umrah, as well as the Makkah Health Cluster, this program represents a significant milestone in providing emergency and medical services to pilgrims, recording inspiring humanitarian stories and unforgettable moments in the holiest place on earth.
A long history of volunteer health programs during Hajj and serving the guests of God
Serving pilgrims has always been an honor passed down through generations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the state dedicates all its human and material resources to ensuring their safety. With the launch of Vision 2030, volunteer work has received unprecedented attention, aiming to reach one million volunteers contributing to national development. The Hajj Volunteer Health Program a key component in achieving these ambitious goals, providing young medical professionals from various universities and health colleges across the Kingdom with the opportunity to deliver direct, on-site care. This enhances the quality of healthcare services provided to pilgrims and supports the official healthcare system during this largest global gathering.
Local and international impact that enhances the Kingdom's leadership in healthcare
The importance of these volunteer initiatives extends beyond providing first aid; they also serve as an internationally recognized model for crowd management and emergency healthcare. Volunteers help alleviate pressure on hospitals and health centers in the holy sites, ensuring a rapid response to emergencies such as heat exhaustion and physical fatigue. This positive impact benefits the well-being of pilgrims from around the world, who return to their countries carrying a message of peace and appreciation for Saudi Arabia's humanitarian efforts, thus enhancing the Kingdom's positive global image as a leader in humanitarian and volunteer work.
Humanitarian acts recorded by the heroes of the field in the holy sites
This year's program included 710 male and female volunteers who formed 115 field teams deployed to key locations in the holy sites. These heroes left with practical experience and inspiring stories of compassion and generosity.
Volunteer Abdulmajid Al-Shami, a fourth-year medical student at Umm Al-Qura University, recounts a story that remains vivid in his memory. On the Jamarat Bridge, he encountered a pilgrim completely exhausted from heatstroke. Al-Shami immediately assisted her, spraying her with cold water to alleviate her body heat. She raised her hands in supplication, tears streaming down her face, a prayer he says he still remembers to this day. He advises new volunteers to seek their reward solely from God.
Abdulmajid Al-Mashlawi, a graduate of King Khalid University in Abha specializing in medicine and surgery, describes his overwhelming joy at being accepted into the program. He recalls an incident where a woman arrived at the health center suffering from extreme weakness. Upon questioning, it was revealed that she hadn't eaten anything since morning. Al-Mashlawi quickly brought her a meal from the food service kitchen, and her condition immediately improved, teaching him that compassion and humanity are the essence of medical practice.
For his part, Musab Al-Naami, a medical student from the Asir region, embarked on his third experience as a field team leader. Al-Naami recounts the story of a woman who was unable to walk due to severe injuries to her feet from walking for long periods without proper footwear. He provided her with first aid, calmed her fears, and asked her son to be patient and not push her. This moved her to tears, and she prayed fervently for him in gratitude for his noble and compassionate care.
Giving without limits and prayers in all the languages of the world
The generosity wasn't limited to students; female doctors and specialists also set outstanding examples. Haifa Zamzami, a physical therapist from Umm Al-Qura University, is participating in serving pilgrims for the fifth time. She affirms that the logistical support and intensive training provided by the program organizers enabled them to perform their duties with high concentration. Haifa recalls a pilgrim suffering from severe swelling in her feet. After receiving physical therapy and emergency care for an hour, the pilgrim embraced her and prayed for her in a deeply moving moment.
In the same vein, Nouf Al-Juhani, a radiology student at Najran University, expresses her pride in being chosen by God to serve the pilgrims. Nouf describes how the prayers of the pilgrims, in their various languages and ethnicities, were enough to dispel all feelings of fatigue, exhaustion, and separation from family during the Eid holidays, giving the volunteers renewed positive energy to continue giving with love and dedication.
