Two Umrah performers were successfully rescued by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) medics and volunteer teams at Makkah’s Grand Mosque after suffering severe health issues during their pilgrimage.
The incidents, which occurred in the sacred Mas’a area, highlight the importance of the medical support services available to pilgrims, especially considering the extreme conditions and physical exertion associated with the pilgrimage.
According to reports from the Saudi Press Agency, the first individual, an Indonesian man in his late 50s, collapsed in the Mas’a area due to a cardiac arrest.
Quick intervention by the SRCA medical team, equipped with advanced life-saving equipment, led to his revival.
The man was treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
These life-saving measures were crucial in stabilizing the pilgrim’s condition before he was transferred for further medical care.
In another incident, an elderly Indian man in his 80s showed signs of a stroke while performing Umrah. His condition was promptly recognized by nearby medical teams, who quickly arranged for his transfer to a medical facility for immediate treatment.
Both cases underscore the critical role of prompt medical assistance in preventing fatalities during such physically demanding pilgrimages.
The SRCA has been at the forefront of providing emergency medical assistance during the pilgrimage season, ensuring that the health and safety of the millions of Muslims who visit Makkah every year are prioritized.
Volunteer teams, often composed of trained medical professionals and emergency responders, are stationed at key locations, including the Grand Mosque and its surrounding areas, to respond to health emergencies swiftly.
These incidents also serve as a reminder of the physical challenges associated with performing Umrah and Hajj, especially in the extreme heat of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Ministry of Health had previously issued a strict health advisory for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, urging pilgrims to assess their physical fitness before embarking on the journey.
The advisory recommended that only healthy and physically fit individuals, capable of enduring the strenuous activities of the pilgrimage, should undertake the pilgrimage.
This includes individuals in good health who are able to walk long distances in the sweltering heat, sometimes covering up to 25 kilometers in a day.
In line with the advisory, the Ministry recommended that elderly individuals (over the age of 65), as well as those suffering from chronic health conditions like heart, kidney, or respiratory diseases, diabetes, or cancer, should carefully consider postponing their pilgrimage.
Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems, whether congenital or acquired, pregnant women, and children under 12 are urged to reconsider participating in the pilgrimage this year.
As the 2025 pilgrimage season approaches, these health advisories and emergency response efforts are crucial to ensuring that pilgrims can perform their religious duties safely, without putting their health at risk.
With the support of dedicated medical teams and volunteers, the SRCA continues to play an indispensable role in safeguarding the well-being of Umrah and Hajj performers.