JEDDAH, 26 December 2007 — Prince Faisal ibn Abdullah, president of the Saudi Red Crescent Society, has announced his organization’s plan to expand its air ambulance services to cover every area within the Kingdom. “Air ambulance is one of the major projects we are working on and we intend to provide this service all over the country after the success of the experimental operations,” he told reporters
The prince emphasized the need for such a project. “Because of the rough terrain, it is difficult for first aid services to get to many parts of the Kingdom by road,” he said.
The Red Crescent has already signed an agreement with the European Aero-Medical Institute to conduct a study on the prospects of implementing air ambulance services throughout the Kingdom.
Prince Faisal said quick implementation of the project was important for cutting down fatalities from road accidents.
Red Crescent officials are holding talks with the Ministry of Finance to purchase well-equipped air ambulances, he said. He denied reports that a deal had been concluded with an aircraft company at the Dubai Air Show. “We have not yet identified the aircraft company for the purchase of the planes and the field is wide open,” the prince said. However, he did not disclose the estimated cost of the project nor the number of planes to be purchased.
Prince Faisal said Red Crescent would bring legal action against health institutions that reject cases brought in by its volunteers. “We are holding discussions with the Ministry of Health in this regard,” he said.
Prince Faisal praised the participation of 50 Saudi women volunteers in Red Crescent’s activities for the first time during this Haj. These women worked inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The organization also deployed about 250 men volunteers during the Haj.
“We will encourage more volunteers of both sexes to work in the coming Haj seasons after giving them necessary training,” he said.
Prince Faisal said the use of motorbikes and small cars during the Haj season facilitated the Red Crescent’s services. “We will increase the number of such vehicles in the coming years.”
He announced that all Red Crescent workers would receive a full-month’s salary in appreciation of their efforts in the service of the guests of God.
A ceremony was held in Makkah recently to honor outstanding Red Crescent workers during the Haj. The society’s Madinah branch won the award for best first-aid service while the Department of Training and Human Resources Development received the best management award. The best leadership award went to Dr. Mualla Al-Jabiri.
Prince Faisal said his organization had mobilized all its resources to provide the best possible services to the guests of God. The society established 93 first-aid centers, used 492 ambulances and deployed a large number of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and drivers for Haj service.
The society is now working to upgrade its operations room in coordination with the King Abdul Aziz City of Science and Technology and Saudi Telecom Company. It will also use digital maps in order to reach accident sites quickly.
