MAKKAH: Four emergency medical centers have been set up in the courtyards around the Grand Mosque for the first time this Ramadan, according to Dr Eissa Al-Harithy, director of the department in charge of emergency operations in Makkah. The emergency medical centers are located in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate, Umrah Gate, Fatah Gate and Marwa Gate.
Speaking to Arab News, he said two more such emergency centers would be established during the coming the Haj season. The existing centers cover the northern and eastern parts of the mosque, he said, adding that the planned ones would cover the northern side.
“Every center includes two clinics with two doctors, four nurses and six beds. They will accept emergency cases, including cases of diseases and injuries,” Al-Harithy said. “The number of doctors and nurses will be doubled during the Haj season.”
The staff at the centers work from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. during Ramadan. There are six well-equipped medical centers inside the Grand Mosque.
“The emergency centers in the courtyards are different from the ones inside the mosque,” he said, adding that the centers outside are provided with ambulance vans in order to transfer patients and the injured to specialized hospitals.
