In a first, Qatar has deployed motorcycle ambulances for pilgrims travelling from here to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj.
The innovative step has been taken by Qatar’s Haj Committee to make sure that pilgrims falling sick during his or her stay in highly crowded places near the pilgrimage spots can be reached without any delay.
This is the first time that motorcycles equipped with all possible medical equipment have been deployed by Qatar’s Haj committee for its pilgrims in Meena and Arafat, which are highly crowded during the annual pilgrimage.
Experience shows that it is very difficult for four-wheel ambulances to penetrate into pilgrims’ camps in Arafat since the place is hugely crowded, so the novel idea of having two-wheel ambulances has hit the Qatar’s Haj Committee.
According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), these two-wheel ambulances can easily travel deep into the crowded camps in Arafat and pick someone who needs emergency medical care in no time. These ambulances are equipped with First Aid and can also lift a patient and reach him to a hospital if the need be.
The medical sub-panel of the Haj Committee has also deployed oxygen cylinders and oxygen masks to tackle emergencies. Significantly, for the first time, heart-pumping devices are also in place with the medical committee to cater to pilgrims who suffer from cardiac problems.
These devices are so handy that they can just be carried in hand on a two-wheel ambulance, QNA said.
In addition, emergency medical bags have been placed in buses that would transport Haj pilgrims and Haj Committee and sub-committee members from one place to another locally during ritual performances.
According to Dr Abdul Salam Al Qahtani, head of the medical sub-panel of the Haj Committee, clinics have already been set up for the pilgrims in Arafat and Meena and these units are operating round-the-clock. We are ready for any kind of emergency,” said Al Qahtani.
Meanwhile, senior Hajj Committee members told QNA that once the pilgrims return to Doha after performing Haj, a survey will be conducted covering at least 20 percent of them to know their views on the services of the various Haj operators.
The idea is to help improve the services by these operators who are private players but licensed by the Haj Committee.
The Peninsula