Prompt medical attention saved many lives.

The landing strip at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital has been witnessing in the past few days round-the-clock air traffic movement of helicopters transporting injured and patients to the hospital, or evacuating them to other hospitals.

The total number of patients and injured who benefited from medical flight services amounted to 52 cases.

The high preparedness and arrangements, in addition to the expanded area of the landing strip, allowed for access of more than one aircraft at a time.

Salem Bajaifer, assistant director of the hospital for medical services, said the total number of cases treated at the hospital amounted to 26 cases, of which six cases involved fractures, four cases of sunstroke and temperature-related illnesses, and 16 cases of varied illness.

“The cases were offered excellent medical treatment. About 10 cases were transported to the King Fahd Military Hospital in Jeddah and five others were moved to the King Abdullah Medical Complex in Jeddah. All cases received were among those injured in the Mina stampede accident, suffering sunstroke or from the high temperatures. An additional 10 cases were moved to Arafat General Hospital by medical caravan organized by the hospital to help hospitalized patients to be at Arafat and perform the holy rituals,” said Bajaifer.

Jamil Ikram, assistant director of support services and chairman of the Committee on Safety and Disaster, commended the full cooperation and coordination between the hospital and the department of land services of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority Air Rescue where the joint efforts of both sides helped in overcoming all hardships and obstacles.

Ikram confirmed the full readiness of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital to receive emergency cases transported by air rescue, or the medical helicopters of the Interior Ministry and the Armed Forces at all times.

“This year witnessed the establishment of a special building for such first-aid operations transported by air rescue,” said Ikram.