As part of ongoing efforts to care for Saudi citizens abroad and provide them with the highest levels of healthcare, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cairo announced the successful medical evacuation of a Saudi citizen, male and female, after they suffered a critical health condition that required their urgent transfer back to the homeland.

Details of the medical evacuation process

The embassy explained that it had been monitoring the health of the citizens from the outset, coordinating directly and swiftly with the relevant Egyptian authorities to facilitate the transfer. The evacuation was carried out via a dedicated Saudi Ministry of Defense medical evacuation aircraft, equipped with the latest medical technology and staffed by specialized personnel to handle critical cases during the flight. The aircraft departed from Cairo International Airport bound for the Kingdom to complete the patients' treatment program in specialized hospitals.

Government care and leadership guidance

This step comes in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership – may God support them – which places the health and safety of Saudi citizens at the forefront of its priorities, whether inside or outside the Kingdom. Medical air evacuations are an integral part of the comprehensive care system provided by the state to its citizens, where all diplomatic, military, and health resources are mobilized to ensure the safe and secure return of citizens facing emergency medical conditions abroad to their homeland.

Capabilities of the Saudi medical evacuation fleet

It is worth noting that the Saudi Ministry of Defense's air medical evacuation fleet is among the largest and most advanced in the Middle East and the world. The fleet includes jet and helicopter aircraft equipped as flying intensive care units, enabling the transfer of critical and complex cases over long distances without compromising the patient's stability. This rapid response reflects the high level of preparedness of the relevant authorities and their exceptional ability to manage emergency health crises efficiently and effectively.

Saudi-Egyptian cooperation

This operation also highlights the deep fraternal relations and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt. Egyptian authorities demonstrated significant cooperation in facilitating all logistical, security, and medical procedures at Cairo Airport to ensure the swift transfer of citizens. This joint coordination underscores the strength of the ties between the two brotherly countries and the Embassy's unwavering commitment to overcoming any obstacles that Saudi citizens may encounter while in Egypt.

The embassy concluded its statement by affirming its continued commitment to monitoring the affairs of citizens and providing urgent support in emergency situations, wishing the citizen a speedy recovery and complete health and well-being.

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque officially announced the approved timetable for visiting the Noble Garden during the holy month of Ramadan, as part of its operational plan for the Umrah and visitation season, with the aim of ensuring smooth movement and providing the opportunity for the largest number of Muslims to pray in this holy place in a safe and convenient faith-based atmosphere.

Visit schedule during the first twenty days of Ramadan

The authority explained that the visitation schedule relies on precise time intervals separating men and women to ensure privacy and comfort. For the first twenty days of Ramadan , the times were set as follows:

• For men: Two periods daily; the first is morning and evening, extending from 11:20 am to 8:00 pm, and the second is nighttime, from 2:00 am to 5:00 am.
• For women: There are two periods as well; the first from 11:00 PM until 1:40 AM, and the second in the morning from 6:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Visiting times during the last ten days

Due to the expected high density in the last ten days of Ramadan, the authority made slight adjustments to accommodate the numbers, and the times are as follows:

• For men: three periods; the first from 11:20 am to 8:00 pm, the second from 11:00 pm to 12:00 am, and the third from 2:00 am to 5:00 am.
• For women: One morning period has been allocated, extending from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

The importance of the Holy Garden and its spiritual significance

Visiting the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah) holds immense importance in the hearts of Muslims, for it is the place about which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” Praying there is among the most significant spiritual experiences for visitors to Medina, especially during Ramadan, when rewards are multiplied. Pilgrims from all corners of the earth are keen to seize the opportunity to be in this blessed space for supplication and prayer, making the organization of entry and exit a vital necessity to maintain the tranquility of the place and the safety of visitors.

Technical organization through “Nusk” and the Kingdom’s efforts

The authority emphasized that entry to the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah) is contingent upon booking an appointment in advance through the Nusuk app, stressing the importance of adhering to the time specified in the permit. This regulation is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to utilize technology to serve pilgrims, aiming to eliminate overcrowding and achieve the highest standards of safety and security, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to facilitate the journey of pilgrims and visitors and enrich their religious and cultural experience.