The center will run from the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in Riyadh and will help expedite the transfer of emergency-room patients to hospitals where their injuries can be better treated.

Dr. Tarek Al-Arnoos, director general of the center, told Arab News the Ministry of Health has spent a lot of time preparing the center.

“This was set up in coordination with the directors of all health regions in the Kingdom to coordinate the transfer of patients to hospitals where specific treatments and necessary doctors are available,” he said.

The director general said the center has a hot line (01-212-4133) and there will be a doctor and a technician on duty to attend callers.

He pointed out that the ministry has emergency rooms in all health facilities and Health Affairs’ regional offices that will be electronically linked to the control room.

“The control center will be in a position to facilitate a quick transfer to the referred hospital,” he said, adding that there are instances where air ambulances are needed for such services.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah recently commended the Ministry of Health for providing excellent services to citizens and expatriate residents in the country.