Makkah’s Holy Mosque gets dedicated air ambulance service

SAUDI ARABIA— Saudi Arabia has launched two dedicated air ambulance helipads within the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

 This strategic initiative is designed to facilitate rapid medical evacuations for critical patients, ensuring they receive timely and world-class treatment at specialized hospitals across the Kingdom.

As the country prepares to welcome millions of worshippers for the Umrah season, this development marks a crucial step in bolstering emergency medical response capabilities.

The introduction of these helipads is particularly important during peak pilgrimage seasons, such as Ramadan and Hajj, when the massive influx of pilgrims can strain existing medical resources.

By enabling swift patient transport, these helipads will alleviate capacity issues and provide urgent care to those in need.

 Moreover, the air ambulance service will operate 24/7, offering continuous support with some hospitals reachable within minutes.

The flexibility to deploy additional helicopters on short notice further underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to delivering a world-class pilgrimage experience.

Recently, Saudi authorities conducted a successful air ambulance landing drill at the mosque’s eastern runway.

This exercise tested the readiness and efficiency of medical operations, ensuring that patient evacuations can be carried out swiftly and in line with the highest medical standards.

The Minister of Health, His Excellency Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of pilgrims by providing around-the-clock air ambulance support.

This initiative ensures that all patients receive the highest level of care at one of the world’s holiest and most visited sites.

By transferring patients to hospitals based on their specific needs, Saudi Arabia continues to improve health outcomes for pilgrims with both scale and speed.

In addition to the air ambulance service, Saudi Arabia has also inaugurated the Al-Haram Emergency Hospital, a state-of-the-art medical facility located inside the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

This specialist hospital operates 24/7 during Umrah and Hajj seasons and is equipped with advanced medical technologies, including an intensive care unit (ICU), laboratory and radiology departments, and an on-site pharmacy.

 The hospital features dedicated areas for critical and rapid emergencies, respiratory emergencies, an emergency observation unit, and an isolation unit for infectious diseases.

This comprehensive healthcare setup demonstrates the Kingdom’s dedication to protecting its visitors and providing a seamless, secure pilgrimage experience.

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