A patient was saved from a stroke at King Abdullah Medical City in Mecca
The health system in the Holy City recorded a new medical achievement, as a specialized medical team at King Abdullah Medical City, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, succeeded in saving the life of a 57-year-old Sudanese patient who suffered a severe stroke that threatened her life, in a record time of no more than two hours from the moment of her arrival.
Details of the urgent medical intervention
The story began when the emergency department received a report of a critical case involving a patient with chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and an irregular heartbeat. She presented with sudden symptoms, including loss of speech and complete paralysis of the right side of her body. Upon her arrival, the Saudi Red Crescent activated the "Stroke Code," an international protocol for managing critical cases to ensure a rapid response.
Detailed radiological examinations revealed a severe blockage in one of the main arteries supplying the brain. The medical team immediately decided to perform a delicate surgical procedure using interventional neurocatheterization to remove the blood clot and restore blood flow to the brain. The procedure was a complete success; the patient regained her speech and mobility immediately after the procedure, thus avoiding the complications of permanent disability.
The importance of the urgent care program and the integration of services
This achievement is the result of the "Urgent Care" program adopted by the Saudi Ministry of Health, which aims to reduce the time required for critical medical interventions. The success of the operation reflects the efficiency of coordination between various sectors, from paramedics in the field to emergency departments and specialized operating rooms. Time is of the essence in stroke cases, as medically known as "time is brain," since every minute of delay can lead to the damage of millions of nerve cells.
Implications of the health transformation and Vision 2030
King Abdullah Medical City in Mecca is a leading example of the healthcare transformation underway in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. The healthcare transformation program focuses on enhancing the efficiency of medical services and facilitating access to them, particularly in the holy cities that serve millions of residents, visitors, and pilgrims. This underscores the high level of preparedness of Saudi medical professionals and the advanced infrastructure that enables them to handle even the most complex and rare cases with efficiency comparable to leading international centers.
This success is not just an individual case, but rather an indicator of the development of the healthcare system in the Kingdom, and its ability to provide precise specialized services that contribute to improving the quality of life and reducing mortality and disability rates resulting from chronic and emergency diseases.
