Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia deploys 11 air ambulances, 900 ambulances and 7,500 paramedics

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has unveiled one of its most comprehensive health preparedness operations for the 2025 Hajj season, mobilising a vast network of emergency medical infrastructure aimed at safeguarding the well-being of millions of pilgrims expected in the holy sites.

At a press briefing in Riyadh on Monday, Minister of Health Fahd Al Jalajel detailed the scale and sophistication of the Kingdom’s medical response system, which includes the deployment of 11 air evacuation aircraft, 900 ambulances, and 71 strategically located first aid points.

These facilities are staffed by more than 7,500 paramedics, forming the backbone of what Al Jalajel described as “an integrated and technologically advanced emergency system for Hajj.”  To date, over 50,000 medical services have been provided across 14 entry points.

“No epidemic cases have been detected among the pilgrims to date,” the minister assured, highlighting the effectiveness of early monitoring and preventative health strategies.

The Saudi government, he said, has increased bed capacity for the Hajj season by 60 percent compared to last year, a reflection of its proactive planning amid growing pilgrim numbers.

The emergency readiness efforts are part of ongoing preparations under the supervision of the Supreme Hajj Committee, which aims to create a safe and spiritually fulfilling environment for pilgrims.

Al Jalajel stressed the importance of hydration, sun protection, and crowd management, urging pilgrims to adhere to guidance on mask-wearing, movement grouping, and timely reporting of any illness.

Among the standout developments is a newly built emergency hospital in Mina with a capacity of 200 beds, complementing three field hospitals totaling over 1,200 beds.

These facilities were developed in coordination with the Ministries of Defence, Interior, and the National Guard.

Al Jalajel said that advanced medical systems, supported by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), are being used to monitor pilgrims’ health in real time. Smart sensors have been distributed to those in critical condition, linking them to the SEHA Virtual Hospital, which the minister noted is “the largest virtual hospital in the world.”

The SEHA app continues to expand its utility, providing remote consultations and at-home care services to pilgrims without requiring travel to medical centers, an especially vital feature given the extreme heat and dense crowding typical during Hajj.

-- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE