According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Field Medicine (FM) is ready to serve pilgrims in this year’s Hajj Season by providing field medical services, carrying patients and on-site handling of potential emergencies – may Allah forbid, through an integrated fleet of various ambulances. 80 big hi-tech ambulances (Sanad) – i.e. support – are available for this Hajj Season, to carry patients to health facilities across the holy sites, Makkah and Madinah, in addition to ambulances offered by Makkah Health Affairs. Also, 100 state-of-the-art ambulances will be distributed to support the holy sites and Makkah’s health facilities, main axes and highways. Additional 25 ambulances will enhance Madinah Health Affairs.
"Small ambulances - a leading outstanding experience - will be available for this Hajj Season. MOH will develop them, given their remarkable delivery of field and emergency medical services. This type of ambulances feature a small size, allowing them seamless movement, effective transport of cases, fast access to various sites, health facilities, as well as the pedestrian walkway from Arafat to Mina through Muzdalifah. They are also of great help to field treat cases that do not require advanced medical services. They quickly carry patients from healthcare centers to hospitals. This season, 100 small ambulances will be used in the holy sites. They are equipped with the necessary medical appliances, in addition to an alarm system and radios to streamline communication and prompt access to cases and sites through the command center. They are supplemented with the needed manpower, including specialists and technicians who can handle field emergencies.”, stresses MOH.
“These small ambulances will be distributed to health facilities across Hajj sites, in line with transporting pilgrims from Mina to Arafat, and the day of Nafrah - Onrush - from Arafat to Mina through Muzdalifah. They will also cover highly crowded areas, the pedestrian walkway from Arafat to Mina and rest areas in Muzdalifah. The scope of ambulatory services will be determined for each healthcare center. Also, ambulances will be remotely monitored and controlled.”, MOH adds.
On the other hand, on its social media pages, MOH has launched an awareness campaign titled #حج_بصحة – i.e. healthy Hajj - which offers medical tips and health guidelines for prospective pilgrims on disease prevention and safe behavior. Pilgrims are also urged to comply with Hajj-related health regulations.