Health: Saudi Activates Cardiac Emergency Unit at Grand Mosque
…Health: Saudi Activates Cardiac Emergency Unit at Grand Mosque
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The authorities in Makkah have activated a specialized cardiac emergency unit, known as the “Safe Heart Zone,” near Masjid al-Haram to enhance medical response and protect millions of pilgrims visiting the holiest site.
The advanced facility is strategically positioned within the vicinity of the Grand Mosque to provide rapid medical intervention for heart-related emergencies, which remain among the most common health risks during peak pilgrimage seasons.
According to officials, the Safe Heart Zone is equipped with 10 intensive care beds, a mobile cardiac catheterization laboratory, and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) life-support systems designed to stabilize patients experiencing severe cardiac complications.
The unit is staffed by 30 specialized medical professionals, including cardiologists, emergency physicians, and critical care experts trained to manage complex heart conditions in high-density environments such as the Grand Mosque.
Healthcare authorities say the initiative aims to drastically reduce response times for cardiac emergencies among the vast crowds of worshippers performing prayers and rituals at the site.
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The measure is particularly significant given that a large proportion of pilgrims are elderly and may have underlying cardiovascular conditions.
The cardiac emergency unit operates in coordination with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and nearby hospitals and medical centers in Makkah, enabling seamless patient transfers and continuous monitoring where advanced treatment is required.
Officials noted that the Safe Heart Zone forms part of a broader healthcare strategy designed to strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure pilgrims can perform their religious obligations in a safe and medically supported environment.
Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world gather at the Grand Mosque for pilgrimage and year-round worship, prompting Saudi authorities to continually expand medical services and emergency infrastructure around the holy site.
