The Red Crescent in Mecca: 108,000 beneficiaries trained in first aid
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Makkah region achieved a significant milestone in health and first aid awareness, successfully training and educating over 108,000 beneficiaries during 2025. This achievement was made possible through a comprehensive training system encompassing 1,470 diverse programs aimed at enhancing community preparedness, improving emergency response efficiency, and establishing first aid as an essential life skill for every member of society.
Standard statistics and quality programs
The Authority's annual statistical report revealed a wide variety of training channels, including in-person courses, educational lectures, interactive workshops, awareness booths in public spaces, and distance learning programs. These programs targeted all segments of society, including government employees and private sector staff, ensuring broad coverage across different age groups and professions.
The “Ambassador of Life” program led the training landscape, contributing to the qualification of 12,459 trainees through 675 intensive courses designed to equip them with essential skills for handling emergency situations. In addition, 1,982 individuals benefited from 94 specialized courses focusing on advanced medical skills and professional management of critical cases requiring sophisticated intervention.
"Golden minutes"... a race against time
The Red Crescent has given considerable attention to its "First Eight" first aid program, achieving a high rate of success by training 22,508 beneficiaries through 413 training courses. The importance of this program lies in its focus on what is medically known as the "golden minutes," which are the crucial first moments after an injury or health crisis.
Medical facts indicate that proper emergency intervention in the first few minutes greatly increases the chances of survival and reduces serious complications, especially in cases of cardiac and respiratory arrest, where brain cell damage begins within a few minutes if cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not performed, making the training of ordinary individuals in these skills a fundamental pillar in saving lives.
Serving the pilgrims and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
Given Makkah's status as the Qibla for Muslims and a destination for millions of pilgrims and Umrah performers annually, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has intensified its efforts to serve the guests of God. This included training 3,861 employees working in the Grand Mosque. The training aims to enhance the efficiency of emergency response within the mosque and its courtyards, contributing to a safe and healthy environment for visitors and aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to improve the experience of pilgrims and raise the level of services provided to them.
Knowledge sustainability in the education sector
In a strategic move to ensure the sustainability of knowledge and the transfer of expertise to future generations, the Authority has given special attention to the school environment, training 2,880 beneficiaries through the "School Paramedic" program. In parallel, the Authority successfully trained 105 male and female health supervisors in the education departments of Jeddah, Mecca, and Taif through the "Central Trainer" program.
The central trainer program is a true nucleus for spreading awareness, as these mentors become certified trainers capable of transferring first aid expertise to their colleagues and students within educational facilities, creating a continuous cycle of learning and self-qualification within schools.
In closing its report, the Authority renewed its commitment to continuing this awareness approach to raise the level of public safety, calling on all those wishing to acquire life-saving skills to take advantage of these opportunities by registering for the courses available on the “Mutaahib” electronic platform.
