The health system in the Holy City of Mecca has recorded a new medical achievement, as a specialized medical team at King Abdullah Medical City, a member of the Mecca Health Cluster, succeeded in saving the life of a 57-year-old Sudanese patient, after she suffered a severe stroke that threatened her life and deprived her of the ability to move and speak.
Case details and urgent intervention
The story began when the patient, who had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and an irregular heartbeat, received first aid from Saudi Red Crescent teams after suddenly experiencing symptoms including complete loss of speech and paralysis on the right side of her body. She was immediately transferred to King Abdullah Medical City, where a medical team was ready to assist her as part of the emergency care program.
Upon the patient's arrival, the Stroke Code, a global medical protocol designed to minimize the time between patient arrival and treatment, was activated. Tests and detailed imaging revealed an acute blockage in one of the major arteries supplying the brain, necessitating immediate surgical intervention.
Accuracy of the medical procedure and speed of response
The patient was immediately transferred to the interventional neuroradiology catheterization unit, where the medical team performed a precise catheterization procedure to remove the blood clot and restore blood flow to the brain. The procedure was a complete success, completed in less than two hours from the patient's arrival at the hospital—a record time that reflects the efficiency of the medical staff and the readiness of the equipment.
Thanks to God, and then to the speed of the intervention, the patient immediately and remarkably regained her ability to speak and move after the procedure, which spared her from serious complications that could have led to permanent disability.
The importance of stroke pathway and service integration
Time is of the essence in stroke treatment, medically known as the "golden hour." This achievement underscores the significant advancements in emergency and neurology departments in the Kingdom, where the success of such cases depends on the seamless integration between the Red Crescent, emergency departments, and interventional radiology teams.
King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah is distinguished by being a specialized reference center that includes the latest technologies in the field of neurocatheterization, which enables it to deal with complex cases with high efficiency, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, which witness high human density.
Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in health transformation
This success is a direct reflection of the goals of the Health Transformation Program and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focus on facilitating access to healthcare services and improving the quality of care for critical cases. The modern care model at the Makkah Health Cluster promotes collaborative work among various specialties (interventional radiology, neurology, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine) to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes for patients and reduce disability and mortality rates resulting from strokes.
