As part of intensified preparations to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj exercise, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, has announced the deployment of 11 specialized air evacuation aircraft to handle emergency medical cases.
Speaking during a media briefing on the Kingdom’s comprehensive Hajj health strategy, Minister Al-Jalajel revealed that the air ambulances are fully equipped with advanced life-support systems and will be on standby to respond swiftly to any critical health situations that may arise among pilgrims. The move is in line with the Saudi government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the well-being of millions of worshippers converging on the holy sites.
According to him, the aircraft will be strategically stationed across key Hajj locations, including Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina, to ensure quick access and reduce response time in the event of emergencies. Medical teams aboard the helicopters have undergone extensive training and are prepared to manage high-risk cases requiring rapid hospital transfers.
The minister further stated that this initiative is part of a broader health infrastructure being rolled out for Hajj 1446 AH, which includes hundreds of mobile clinics, thousands of healthcare professionals, and several fully operational hospitals dedicated to serving pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia continues to enhance its Hajj medical response capacity annually, leveraging technology, logistics, and manpower to meet the unique demands of the pilgrimage season. The deployment of these air evacuation aircraft represents a critical component of the Kingdom’s wider efforts to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for all.
