The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Makkah region achieved a significant milestone in health awareness and first aid training, successfully training and educating over 108,000 beneficiaries during 2025. This achievement was made possible through a comprehensive training system encompassing 1,470 diverse programs, reflecting the Authority's unwavering commitment to enhancing community preparedness for emergencies and promoting public health.
The importance of first aid training in the Holy City
These programs are of paramount strategic importance in the Makkah region, given its unique geographical and demographic characteristics and its hosting of the Grand Mosque and the Holy Sites. Intensifying training in this area aims to build a vibrant and informed community capable of responding swiftly to critical situations, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, which witness high population density. These efforts are a cornerstone of the system for serving pilgrims, contributing to reducing response times to emergencies before the arrival of specialized medical teams.
"Ambassador of Life" programs and investing in golden minutes
The Authority's annual statistical report revealed a wide variety of training programs to meet all needs, with the "Ambassador of Life" program leading the way, having graduated 12,459 trainees through 675 intensive courses. In parallel, the Authority focused on the "First Eight" program, which teaches essential skills for handling emergencies in the initial moments, benefiting 22,508 individuals through 413 courses. These programs aim to empower ordinary people to capitalize on the crucial "golden minutes" following an injury, which are vital in saving lives and minimizing serious complications.
Shifting from direct response to community prevention
This training initiative is part of a strategic shift in the work of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. Its role is no longer limited to responding to accidents and transporting the injured via its ambulance fleet, but has expanded to include preventative and awareness-raising aspects. Establishing a culture of first aid significantly reduces deaths resulting from accidents and sudden injuries such as cardiac and respiratory arrest. Global medical studies indicate that immediate and appropriate intervention by those around the injured person dramatically increases the chances of survival.
Enhancing safety in educational facilities and the Holy Mosque in Mecca
The efforts were not limited to individuals but extended to vital institutions to ensure a safe environment. The Authority paid particular attention to the school environment through the "School Paramedic" program, which trained 2,880 beneficiaries. Additionally, 105 male and female health supervisors in the Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif education departments were trained through the "Central Trainer" program to ensure the sustainability of knowledge and its transfer to students. Furthermore, in the context of serving pilgrims, 3,861 employees at the Grand Mosque in Makkah were trained to ensure the highest safety standards for visitors to the Holy Mosque.
Invitation to participate via the "Ready" platform
These efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to promote health volunteering and achieve a vibrant society. The Authority reiterated its call to all segments of society, as well as the public and private sectors, to take advantage of these training opportunities, whether in person or remotely, by registering on the "Mutaheb" online platform, to contribute to saving lives and serving humanity.
