• Moves ensure rapid emergency response throughout pilgrimage sites

Arab News

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has activated its air ambulance service for the 2025 Hajj season, deploying 11 aircraft from 13 strategically located helipads to transport critical medical cases from the Grand Mosque and holy sites.

This is to ensure rapid emergency response throughout pilgrimage areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Air ambulances play a vital role in supporting the seasonal emergency network by ensuring the rapid transportation of patients and injured individuals; facilitating medical evacuations between healthcare facilities; and deploying specialized medical teams to high-density areas or critical emergencies.

Simultaneously, SRCA has enhanced its operational capacity with over 120 ambulance units operating continuously, supported by more than 100 vehicles across Makkah. Strategic distribution includes 45 units in the northeast and western sectors, 15 units covering southern zones, and 20 units in central areas.

Advanced mobile resources include more than 160 emergency medical technicians; 12 motorized emergency vehicles; and three golf carts fitted as portable ambulances for restricted-access zones. These assets ensure comprehensive preparedness for potential emergencies.

More than 30 emergency units have been strategically stationed at the Grand Mosque. These include seven teams in the Masa’a and Saudi Corridor, eight teams across the Masa’a and eastern courtyards, 10 teams covering western and southern courtyards, and two in the third Saudi expansion zone.

These units are staffed by more than 60 paramedics and reinforced by 16 medical golf carts for rapid response in high-density areas.

The service is supported by more than 120 highly qualified physicians and emergency technicians who work around the clock to provide urgent medical care to pilgrims.

Supporting these operations are over 550 volunteers from the authority’s teams, distributed across more than 200 units operating continuously. These specialized teams provide emergency medical coverage across all high-traffic pilgrimage routes.

This integrated system forms a fundamental pillar of the Hajj emergency plan, significantly contributing to reduced response times.

It reflects the Kingdom’s high level of preparedness and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to pilgrims. This initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for all pilgrims.

These measures form part of a coordinated government-wide system involving multiple entities focused on improving medical transport, safety and service quality for pilgrims.