The Red Crescent in Medina: 56 seconds response time at the Prophet's Mosque

In an achievement that reflects the development of the emergency health services system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Assistant Director General of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority branch in the Madinah region for ambulance affairs, Omar Hashim Niaz, revealed that record numbers were achieved in the speed of response to reports inside the Prophet’s Mosque, where ambulance teams recorded a time of arrival of only 56 seconds for some critical cases.

Proactive positioning strategy and serving the guests of God

These figures are the result of meticulous operational plans adopted by the authority, especially during peak seasons such as the holy month of Ramadan. Niaz explained to Al-Youm that the operational plan for Ramadan 1447 AH focused primarily on the concept of "proactive deployment," which means positioning ambulance teams at key strategic points within the courtyards and corridors of the Prophet's Mosque and the central area, thus minimizing response times.

These efforts are of paramount importance given the religious significance of Medina, which receives millions of visitors and pilgrims annually. Managing crowds and providing emergency medical care amidst such high population density presents a major logistical challenge, one that the Kingdom has successfully addressed with exceptional professionalism by leveraging modern technologies and qualified personnel, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program.

Details of the operational plan and human resources

The Assistant Director General reviewed the details of the manpower and equipment deployed to serve visitors, noting that the plan includes:

• Participation of 97 advanced ambulance units .
• More than 474 paramedics from specialized staff were present.
• Logistical and field support from 1500 male and female volunteers working around the clock.

He stressed that this system works in complete harmony to ensure comprehensive coverage of Medina, which has been operationally divided into 10 ambulance sectors, most notably the Haram sector and the Al-Hijrah sector, to ensure rapid access and immediate handling of cases.

Success stories from the field

As a testament to the effectiveness of this plan, Niaz cited the case of a Pakistani pilgrim in his sixties who suffered a heart attack inside the Prophet's Mosque. Thanks to the well-positioned teams, they were able to reach him in just 56 seconds and provide advanced first aid, which, with God's grace, saved his life. He also noted that the average response time in the crowded central area does not exceed two minutes, a world-class standard that reflects the readiness of the field teams.

Rapid intervention teams and preparations for peak nights

To overcome the challenges of overcrowding during peak times such as Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers, the 27th night of Ramadan, and Eid prayers, the authority relies on rapid intervention teams, motorcycles, and mobile carts (golf carts), which possess high agility in navigating crowds. These units contribute to providing initial medical care until ambulances arrive, equipped for transport if necessary.

Niaz concluded by emphasizing that the safety of visitors is the top priority, calling on everyone to adhere to health guidelines and cooperate with ambulance and volunteer teams to ensure a safe and convenient season for all.