RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has carried out the first air medical evacuation from the Grand Mosque in Makkah after the opening of two new air ambulance helipads.

A patient suffering from chest pain was treated at the Al Haram Emergency Hospital before being rushed by helicopter to King Abdullah Medical City for further treatment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia recently improved its emergency healthcare response capabilities with the two new helipads in preparation for an influx of pilgrims.

Air ambulances will operate around the clock, providing continuous support in transporting patients to hospitals within minutes.

A new specialist hospital also opened in the Grand Mosque to provide onsite care.

The new facilities will alleviate capacity issues at Islam’s holiest site, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

“Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of pilgrims … we expand services for pilgrims with both scale and speed,” Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said.

“This initiative ensures that all patients can receive the highest level of care at one of the world’s holiest and most visited sites,” Al-Jalajel said.

“By transferring patients to hospitals based on their specific needs, we continue to improve health outcomes for pilgrims with both scale and speed.”

The helicopters will be able to transport patients to hospitals in the local area and beyond for specialist treatment.

Additional helicopters can be deployed at short notice in busier periods.

Saudi authorities conducted an air ambulance landing drill at the mosque’s eastern runway, ahead of the helipads opening.

The Al-Haram Emergency Hospital is a new specialist medical facility inside the Grand Mosque.

It will have state-of-the-art medical technology and highly trained healthcare professionals, according to the Ministry of Health.

It includes an intensive care unit, a laboratory for conducting medical tests, a radiology department, and an on-site pharmacy.

The hospital also has dedicated areas for critical and rapid emergencies, respiratory emergencies, an emergency observation unit, and an isolation unit for infectious diseases.

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, received a personal welcome from President Trump at the White House iftar on Thursday.

During his opening speech, the American president said: “Every day we are keeping our promises to the Muslim community. My administration is engaged in relentless diplomacy to forge a lasting peace in the Middle East, building on the historic Abraham Accords which everyone said would be impossible … We’re all looking for peace for the entire world.”

He added: “As we approach the end of (the) Islamic holy month of Ramadan, we’re also deeply honored to be joined by many of the international friends and partners including the Ambassador from Saudi Arabia to the United States, a very, very special woman, Princess Rema — princess, thank you, thank you, princess.”

The princess was among several ambassadors from Arab countries, including the UAE, Egypt and Jordan.

Later, posting on X, the princess thanked Trump and said: “Honored to attend the iftar dinner hosted by @POTUS. Grateful for his kind invitation and thoughtful gesture toward the Muslim community. It’s a testament to the spirit of friendship and cooperation that brings our nations together.”