Exceptional efforts to serve the pilgrims in Medina
Serving the pilgrims is a top priority for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and this commitment is evident in the tremendous efforts exerted by various government sectors during the Hajj season. Historically, since the unification of the Kingdom, the wise leadership has undertaken the responsibility of providing a safe and healthy environment for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. Within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, and specifically within the Pilgrims Service Program, the health and ambulance system has witnessed unprecedented development to ensure the provision of superior medical care based on the latest technologies and qualified personnel.
Statistics and figures reflect the scale of the emergency response achievement
In this commendable context, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Madinah region announced statistics on its ambulance and volunteer work during the period from the 1st to the 27th of Dhu al-Qi'dah, as part of its operational plan for the Hajj season. The figures demonstrated a high level of field readiness, with ambulance teams responding to more than 13,000 emergency calls to serve pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque.
The authority explained that its field system included 118 ambulance teams, supported by the participation of 11 response partners to enhance the speed of handling cases. The region's medical evacuation center received 42,588 phone calls, resulting in 13,035 emergency reports. Thanks to the high level of staff efficiency, 5,891 patients received on-site treatment without needing to be transported, while 5,158 patients were transferred to specialized hospitals to complete their necessary treatment.
Air ambulance and specialized medical pathways
To ensure rapid response in critical cases requiring urgent, life-saving intervention, air ambulance services played a pivotal role. Air ambulance teams responded to 36 emergency calls and successfully transported 11 critically ill patients to healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the authority activated specialized medical pathways, including the management of 31 stroke cases, 28 heart attack cases, and 16 severe injuries. This rapid intervention directly contributes to increasing survival rates and reducing serious medical complications.
Volunteering: A humanitarian mission and a form of social cohesion
The success wasn't limited to the professional sphere; it extended to humanitarian and community work. A total of 1,054 volunteers participated in supporting ambulance and awareness efforts, contributing a total of 8,432 volunteer hours. This figure reflects the strong sense of community and the genuine desire of the nation's citizens to volunteer and serve the pilgrims of the Holy House of God, adding a noble humanitarian dimension to the official efforts.
Local, regional and international impact
The success of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in managing this massive volume of calls has far-reaching implications. Locally, this achievement reinforces the confidence of citizens and residents in the efficiency of the Saudi healthcare system and its capacity to handle millions of cases without compromising the quality of daily services. Regionally and internationally, this success presents a global model for crowd management, disaster medicine, and emergency response. Providing this free and immediate care sends a reassuring message to millions of Muslims worldwide and to the families of pilgrims, confirming that the Kingdom is dedicating all its resources to ensuring the safe return of pilgrims to their home countries.
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority affirms its continued operational readiness in all vital locations, in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership - may God support them - to improve the services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, and to provide the highest levels of medical care.
