Red Crescent efforts to secure the ambulance route for pilgrims on the Hijra road

As part of intensive preparations for the Hajj season, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Madinah region its exceptional field efforts during the period of pilgrims' movement to the Holy Mosque. These efforts aim to ensure the safe journey of pilgrims traveling from Madinah to Makkah via the Hijrah Expressway , within the framework of the comprehensive operational plan for this year's Hajj season (1447 AH). These integrated preparations aim to secure the ambulance route along this vital road, which experiences extremely high traffic volumes during the peak travel period.

The historical and strategic importance of the migration route

The Hijra Road is the main artery connecting the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This road holds profound historical and Islamic significance, as it traces the path of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) pilgrimage. In modern times, the Saudi Arabian government has prioritized the development of this road and the provision of all necessary services, transforming it into one of the most important and safest highways. The importance of securing this road is underscored by its role as the primary route for millions of pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah annually. This necessitates a robust emergency medical presence to ensure the safety of these pilgrims, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to provide the best possible services and facilitate their spiritual journey.

Details of the emergency plan and distribution of points

The Director General of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority branch in Madinah, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Zahrani, explained the details of the precise field plan. The crowd management plan begins at the Miqat Dhu al-Hulayfah Mosque, which is one of the main assembly and departure points for pilgrims. Maximum emergency medical readiness has been implemented through the activation of an integrated system that includes:

• 16 ambulance units: including 14 specialized field teams, and two rapid intervention teams to deal with emergency cases with high flexibility.
• Advanced quality vehicles: Three high-quality vehicles named “Ahad”, “Sanad” and “Tuwaiq” were deployed, equipped with the latest medical technologies.
• Qualified personnel: This system employs 60 ambulance service providers around the clock to ensure a rapid response.

Al-Zahrani explained that field coverage along the Hijrah route was strategically distributed across 11 ambulance launch points. This coverage includes 7 fixed points operating around the clock, in addition to 3 extra deployment points activated during peak times to meet the increased demand resulting from the massive influx of pilgrims.

Air ambulance support and its expected impact

To ensure the highest levels of response, the authority confirmed the full readiness of its air ambulance. This air support aims to enhance the evacuation and transport of critical cases requiring urgent medical intervention and advanced emergency care as quickly as possible, bypassing any obstacles or traffic congestion that may occur on the ground.

Impact of the event locally and internationally

These tremendous efforts have an impact not only locally, but also extend to leave a broad positive mark regionally and internationally. By providing this exceptional healthcare, the Kingdom sends a message of reassurance to millions of Muslims worldwide that the pilgrims are in safe hands and receiving outstanding care. These steps are part of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority's commitment to the unified national Hajj plan and its ongoing dedication to utilizing all available human resources and advanced technologies to provide the highest levels of service, healthcare, and emergency medical assistance to the pilgrims during their spiritual journey to the holy sites.