Red Crescent efforts in the city to serve pilgrims: 13,000 reports
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority announced impressive statistics reflecting the scale of care provided to pilgrims. The Red Crescent in Madinah continued to provide its ambulance and volunteer services with high efficiency. During the period from the beginning to the 27th of Dhu al-Qi'dah, medical teams responded to more than 13,000 emergency calls. These tremendous efforts are part of the Kingdom's ongoing strategy to serve pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque during the Hajj season, relying on an integrated ambulance system and qualified personnel and technology to provide emergency medical care around the clock at all vital locations.
A distinguished history of healthcare for pilgrims
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on the health and safety of pilgrims since its unification. Emergency medical services have developed significantly over the decades, evolving from simple first aid points to a world-class healthcare system. The Prophet's Mosque and its surrounding area are among the most densely populated areas, necessitating the development of a robust healthcare infrastructure capable of immediate response. The advancements witnessed in the Saudi healthcare sector today are the culmination of years of planning and investment in human resources and modern medical technologies, ensuring that the rituals are performed in a safe and healthy environment.
Readiness of the Red Crescent ambulance teams in the city
's field ambulance teams the Red Crescent numbered 118, supported by the participation of 11 response partners to enhance the speed of handling emergency cases. The authority also disclosed that the region's medical evacuation center received 42,588 calls during this period, resulting in 13,035 emergency reports. A total of 5,158 patients were transported to specialized hospitals for necessary treatment, while 5,891 patients received immediate on-site medical care without requiring transport, reflecting the efficiency of medical personnel in assessment and rapid intervention.
Air ambulance and activation of specialized medical pathways
The services were not limited to ground transport; they also included air ambulance services, which responded to 36 emergency calls, airlifting 11 critically ill patients to specialized healthcare facilities to ensure the rapid delivery of necessary life-saving medical care. Furthermore, the authority reported activating precise, specialized medical pathways that addressed 31 stroke cases, 28 heart attack cases, and 16 severe injuries. This precise activation of specialized pathways directly contributed to increasing the chances of rapid intervention, improving patient outcomes, and reducing serious complications.
The humanitarian and voluntary role in serving pilgrims
On the humanitarian front, the role of volunteers emerged as a cornerstone of the operational plan's success. A total of 1,054 volunteers participated in emergency relief and awareness campaigns, contributing a total of 8,432 volunteer hours. This volunteer effort not only supports the on-the-ground support provided to pilgrims but also reflects the culture of social solidarity and national responsibility that characterizes the Kingdom's young men and women.
Strategic dimensions and regional and international impact
The success of this emergency medical system has dimensions and impacts that extend beyond the local level. At the regional and international levels, the Kingdom presents a model to be emulated in crowd management and the provision of healthcare in gatherings of millions. This success enhances the confidence of the international community and Muslims worldwide in Saudi Arabia's ability to organize Hajj seasons with the highest levels of safety. Furthermore, the exchange of expertise gained from these seasons contributes to enriching global medical knowledge in the field of crowd medicine and emergency care. In its concluding remarks, the Authority affirmed its continued operational and emergency readiness at all locations, committed to providing the best humanitarian services to the pilgrims, in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership to improve services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.
