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History Overview
Saudi Arabia, the land of the Two Holy Mosques, holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims all over the world. Saudi Arabia is honored and privileged for embracing to what considered as “the house of Allah” (i.e al-Kaʿbah) where Muslims head to for their prayers and their destination to perform Hajj and Umrah, as well the Prophet’s Mosque in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. For that reason, the people of Saudi Arabia have the advantage to serve the two holy mosques, giving every effort to insure comfort and calmness as well required services for the visitors.
Realizing the urgent requirements and demands by those pilgrims, the government of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud, since the establishment, were giving high priority on the protection of the two holy mosques and providing everything that guarantees performing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah with ease and safety.
Furthermore, as elder pilgrims or those suffering from health issues while performing Hajj or Umrah might encounter emergency cases or disasters, same situations might also happen to other pilgrims, the Saudi government established since the earlier stages an official organization that is responsible for health care and emergency services for all Saudi and non-Saudi pilgrims. Those services, especially the ones given to the pilgrims, were not limited to one specific party. For that, the medical system at that time, known as public health and ambulance association was assigned to take responsibilities for providing health care and emergency services.
The national medical emergency association
It was the first independent medical entity in the Kingdom, as no previous organizational association for ambulatory services established before the year of 1353 H. That idea brought up by key men of education and business and philanthropy to form the authority due to the war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Battles broke out in mountains of Asir and Tihamah coastal plain where no convenient facilities or medical supplies for the wounded civilians and militants were available.
The elite people in Saudi Arabia decided to strongly participate with their effort and prospects in that war to relief the harshness of war on the army.
For that they requested from the wise government to form an authority in the holy city of Makkah assigned to perform ambulatory services of militants by doctors, medicine and bandages during the war.
The Saudi government gave the approval and the authority suddenly set active in the work areas. The residents were encouraged by that to deliver humanitarian duties as donations were given from everywhere; and that guaranteed positive continuity of the work and duties to be made by the authority with sincerity.
Even when the war ended and the relationship between the two countries became strong and peaceful, the donations to the authority continued to flood in to give a chance to establish bases of a hospital in Taif city.
At the time of establishing the authority, a number of prominent people gathered to set the instructions related to the workflow to be submitted to the government. A royal order were issued for the approval as the permanent central commission of the authority have made their researches and in turn the general authority had decided to invite His Royal Highness prince Khalid, the son of the late King Abdulaziz to honor the authority to become an honorary president. The late King Khalid approved their request and members were elected for the central commission.
Those members were as follows:
- President: Mohammed Al-Shaibi.
- Secretary: Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Ghazawi.
- Chief Treasurer: Mohammed Ashi.
- Members: Alsayd Abdulwahab vice president of Al-Masjid Al-Haram and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi Affairs, Abdulawahab Attar, Mohammed Ali Al-Qufaidi, Mohammed Ali Khogair, Mohammed Shalhoob and Abdulhai Gazaz.
Ambulance Charity Association
As the government of the late King Faisal bin Abdulaziz believed of the necessity of carrying on providing ambulatory medical care within the delivered services with more wide and independent method, the idea of establishing the association brought up in the year of 1353 H by key personalities in Makkah. As they noticed the difficulties encountered by pilgrims while performing Hajj rituals, those generous people, the late Tala’at Harb Pasha was one of them, intended to support pilgrims with first aid and medical services. Heatstroke, exhaustion due diseases and the age issues and problems were all occurred to the pilgrims at that time and their families are the one who took care of transferring them to Ajyad hospital, the only hospital in Makkah at that time. Those problems increased rapidly and caused death of those patients due delay in transferring them to the hospital.
Consequently, a proposal to establish a national association to provide first aid and health services as well transferring sick and injured patients had existed. Pioneer workers in the ambulance charity stated that the late King Faisal was one of those who suggested establishing the ambulance charity when he was the deputy of his father, the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, on Al-Hijaz. The royal decree number 3306 dated 02/03/1354 H had been issued to form “Ambulance Charity Association” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His majesty remained the honorary president of the association while Prince faisal bin Abdulaziz, at that time, was assigned to take the tasks of the presidency of the association. His royal highness showed deep interest of that noble suggestion as he assigned the minister of finance, his Excellency the late Shiek Abdullah Al-Sulaiman on supervision of the works in the association. That task was supported with direct supervision of the late Shiekh Mohammed Suroor Al-Sabban.
The Ambulance charity association was the cornerstone of the Saudi Red Crescent Association that was formed later in the year of 1383 H with a royal decree. The first ambulance charity center was established by the holy mosque of Makkah at Al-Wedaa gate to be later on the main center of the ambulance charity. Vehicles that facilitated by the association were not exceeding 4-5 cars at that time with a garage located in (Al-Bab neighborhood). The financial resources that the association counted on were from the donations and the ambulance stamp that was bought for one coin (qirsh) put on all government official correspondences and meeting proposal submitted by the citizens with the government order. In addition, a factory in Mina area, Makkah, were established to produce ice as a financial source and resource development.
The ambulance charity association moved on its journey in achieving their goals and perform their duties in accordance to their humanitarian approach in returning distressed and injured relief either residents or expatriates by using their limited resources developed by efforts of their members. Those members were pioneers in several fields at that time like poets and literatures like Mohammed Suror Al-Sabban, Urabi Sajini, Mohammed Shatta, Ahmed Ibrahim Ghazawi, Dr. Al-Sasi, Abdulwahab Ashi, Abdulhameed Al-Khateeb and others. Those members kept on delivering lectures in the main location of the association, which became later on a landmark hosting scientists, authors and poets from inside and outside the kingdom.
performed while mainly the lectures were about the following fields :
- Medical field.
- Religion and Islamic issues.
- History and biography.
- Literature, sociology, press, economy and education.
In 28/06/1354 H, a resolution was passed by the ambulance charity association indicating the end of the legislative duration for the first group of members in the association, and nomination of other 14 new members of Makkah people should be conducted to be assigned for the next phase of the association. The resolution also mentioned a complete unanimity to assign his eminence Sheikh Abdullah Al-Shaibi as the president of the association with main concentration on establishing a hospital in Taif.
In 1359 H, The shura council issued a decree number 170 dated 21/08/1359 H with a total agreement of its members to assign Mr. Ameen Madani as a president of the ambulance charity association in Madina region and setting administrative reference of Al-Madinah branch with Makkah ambulatory association. Charity ambulance in Al-Madinah kept linked to Makkah in the era of the ambulance charity association and during the first phase of the Saudi Red Crescent Society until it had its own independent branch in 1403 H under the name of (Main branch of Saudi Red Crescent Society in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah).
Ambulance Charitable Society was keen to diversify their sources of income. For that, they had established investment projects to find sources of funding for its activities, those projects were as follows:
- Ice factory in Mecca, known as “Al-Khayat Ice Factory.
- Medical Imaging Center.
- Shares in the mining company.
- Shares in the Arabian Automobiles company.
- Revenue from pilgrims.
- Miscellaneous sales.
- Donations and grants, contributions and stamps and coin collection funding project.
The revenues of the society witnessed an increase that reached in the year of 1366 H three million four hundred and forty-five thousand, five hundred and sixty-four Saudi coins and five bars (3.445.564.5). The number of services provided to patients and people in their various ambulatory centers and clinics until the year of 1369 were about 27,371, as referred to by its report the 15th edition). The society had established outpatient clinics to support medical services and provide relief to the injured victims of accidents, and expanded its works to cover are approximately 85,332 beneficiaries of ambulatory and therapeutic services in the year of 1377 H. In 09/10/1383 H, the board of members in the ambulance charity association have conducted their ordinary meetings in Makkah attended by: his excellency the president and his deputy and the members: Sheikh Salih Gazaz, Mohammed Nouh and Salih Jamal. The discussions went about having a new location for the association rent in Taif. The municipality in Taif respond with their letter number 344 dated 05/02/1383 H stating that the cost for renting the location would cost no less than 2000 riyal. It was eventually approved and the director of the association was assigned to set the rent contract and have the payment issued in accordance to the followed procedures.
A critical bend in the journey of the Association
The expansion of activities of the Association, as we pointed out previously, resulted in an increase in operating expenses. Moreover, after the end of the second world war, there was a critical juncture in the process of Association that it has been affected with the global conditions led to decreased donations, limited available resources and the ice plant suffered a setback and loss. The social and literature activities of the association have also been affected that it was difficult to fulfill their medical and ambulatory commitments as well humanitarian services. The only support was provided by the ministry of finance that insured the continuity of the works made by the association.
Council of Ministers Decree No. 213 dated 11/07/1432
The Council of Ministers:
Upon perusal of the correspondence No. (39207/B) dated 11/09/1431 H, incoming from the Office of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and containing a letter of His Excellency the President of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers No. 1630 dated 26/05/1431 H attached with the Statute of Saudi Red Crescent Authority organization prepared based on decree of the Council of Ministries No. 315 dated 17/09/1430 H, After examining the paragraph (2) of Article (24) of the Council of Ministers law issued by the Royal Order No. (A / 13) dated 03/03/1414 AH. Upon review of the basic law of Red Crescent Society, issued by the Royal Order No. (M / 14) dated 12/04/1386 H. After review of the aforementioned statute of organization. Having examined the Record No. (247) dated 26/05/1431 AH and the Record No. (201) dated 16/05/1432 AH, prepared in the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers. Having considered the recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (366) dated 06/06/1432 AH.
Decrees the following:
Approving the law of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority as per the attached form.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers
Saudi Red Crescent Authority Organization Statute
Article 1:
The following terms and phrases – used herein – shall have the meanings assigned thereto:
Kingdom: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Authority: Saudi Red Crescent Authority.
Statute: Saudi Red Crescent Authority Organization Statute.
Board: Saudi Red Crescent authority Board of Directors.
President:The President of the Authority.
Article 2 :
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority shall be a public organization of independent corporate personality, and shall report to the Minister of Health*. headquarter shall be in the City of Riyadh, and it may establish branches or offices within the Kingdom as needed.
Article 3 :
The Statute of Organization is based on Geneva Conventions four treaties of 1949, the additional treaties of 1977, futuristic related protocols that considers the Kingdom as a party and resolutions of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Article 4 :
The main objective of the Authority is to mitigate the calamities and human suffering without any discrimination nor segregation in the transaction for any reason.
Article 5 :
Without prejudice to the power of other agencies, the Authority shall be in charge to perform the following tasks in order to achieve its objectives:
1- Conduct preparations and work during peacetime and wartime as considered cooperation and integration with the armed forces medical departments for the benefit of every civil and military victims in quoted situations in 1949 Geneva four treaties and other two additional protocols of 1977, that includes in specific the following:
- – Transfer of the sick and wounded victims and establishment of the Red Crescent hospitals in locations assigned by the military command..
- – Provide aid and transfer means to victims of wars.
- – Mediate to exchange communications among POWs and victims of wars.
- – Work on supplying and storing of shelter facilities and equipment, medicines, and all necessities for the treatment of the sick and wounded victims and the care of prisoners.
2- Representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international for a as the sole entity that represents Red Crescent in Saudi Arabia.
3- Delivering of medical emergency services as the sole service provider in the Kingdom, including ambulatory transfer and pre-hospital health services provider for patients and victims of accidents and crisis.
4- Preparedness and response for crisis as well contribution in providing relief services in the Kingdom according to the accredited national plan..
5- Participate in delivery of Saudi relief aid to victims of crisis outside the Kingdom.
6- Cooperate with other specialized entities in delivering health services to pilgrims.
7- Work on providing training to the community on first aid and how to response and deal with crisis and accidents as well spread awareness and health culture in cooperation with other specialized entities and training and educational institutions.
8- Contribute in providing health, humanitarian and social services in compliance with objectives of the Authority.
9- Spread humanitarian principles of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and International humanitarian law to establish humanitarian values in the society.
10- Promote relations and exchange knowledge and aid with staff of IRCRC and other similar entities.
11- Encourage individuals in the society, especially youth, to volunteer in activities conducted by the Authority.
12- Perform other works and activities in time of peace and war that achieve goals of the Authority.
Article 6 :
The Authority is committed when performing tasks and when setting programs and application of objectives with Islamic Sharia laws and the Basic Law of Governance and related bylaws, as well international agreement of relevance without interfering in political or religious issues when providing their services inside the Kingdom or outside of it.
Article 7:
Red Crescent badge that presents the Authority should be as follows:
- Inside the Kingdom: Red Crescent on white background with points-right for the beholder and left to the wearer, and the emblem of the Kingdom of two green swords with green palm tree sited in the middle of the crescent inside area and all surrounded by the official name of the Authority in both Arabic and English.
- International version: Red Crescent on white background with points-right for the beholder and left to the wearer and all surrounded by the official name of the Authority in both Arabic and English.
The Authority has the right to work under any other international badge in accordance to international agreements approved by the Kingdom.
Article 8:
The Authority should use the official emblem in their offices, centers, hospitals, warehouses, vehicles, caravans and their other transportation means and other facilities, they also have the right to rise their flag and provide their staff with badges in accordance to the bylaws of the Authority.
Article 9:
with the exception of cases accepted by the statue or international agreements that organize activities of the Red Crescent and Red Cross, only the staff and no one else has the right to use the badge of the Authority, and the Authority have the right to take required legal action to prevent such an act.
Article 10:
The Authority shall enjoy all the privileges and immunities stipulated in the Geneva Conventions or other related as per approved by the Kingdom in a way that allows the Authority to work in accordance to the basic principles of the International movement of Red Crescent and Red Cross, International Humanitarian and decisions made by the International conferences of Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Article 11:
The Authority’s Board of Directors shall be formed as follows:
- Minister of Health : Chairman
- President of the Authority : Member and Vice Chairman
- Representative of Ministry of Health : Member
- Representative of Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development : Member
- Representative of Civil Defense Directorate : Member
- Representative of Saudi Human Rights Commission : Member
The representatives of government agencies shall hold no less than the 14th rank or the equivalent thereof. - Seven members to be assigned by a decree of the Council of Ministers base on nomination from the chairman for a one-time expandable period of three years.
Article 12:
The board shall be the dominant authority in charge of supervision and managing the affairs of the Authority and take all the necessary decisions to achieve its objectives, as part of the regulations provisions.
It shall particularly carry out the following tasks:
- Adoption of policies and plans that achieve the objectives of the Authority.
- Approve the administrative, financial regulations in alignment with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development..
- Approve regulations necessary for running the works of the Authority.
- Approve the Organizational Structure of the Authority.
- Approve the establishment of branches, centers and offices
- Appointing an external auditor and an internal financial controller.
- Approving the Authority’s annual draft budget, its balance sheet, and the annual report, in preparation for its approval in accordance with the regular procedures.
- Approving the sources of funding and accepting donations, subsidies, grants, wills, and endowments in a manner that does not conflict with the rules that regulate receiving in-kind or cash donations.
- Formation of permanent or temporary committees from its members or third parties and specify their fields of specialty and assign them with tasks and their financial benefits.
- Approving rules and regulations organizing the process of developing the resources and investments of the Authority.
- Estimate the subsidies and level and type of relief services to be provided by the Authority inside and outside the Kingdom.
- Approve directions and policies of the Authority in their relations with the International Red Crescent, Red Cross and other organizations in relation to their works.
- Approving of rules for granting of badges, medals, honorary certificates and membership.
- Approving of rules for organizing volunteering at the Authority in accordance to the general organizing plan.
- Approving plans and rules to organize the act of the Authority in emergency cases in accordance to the approved plans that organize such activities.
By a decision of the board, may delegate some of their powers to the Chairman or members whom deemed proper or any officials of the Authority.
Article 13:
- Board meetings shall be held at the main office of the Authority, and may, if necessary, be held within the Kingdom base on the request of the Chairman.
- The Board shall meet periodically at least once every three months, and the Chairman may convene the meeting whenever needed or when at least half of the member requested with invitation including the agenda.
- The meeting shall be held in attendance of the Chairman, or his deputy, and the board may invite any person deemed appropriate with experience and specialty without having the voting right.
- Decisions shall be taken by the majority of the attendees’ vote, in the event of equality of votes, the Chairman’s side shall prevail. Members may not authorize another member to vote on their behalf during their absence with the possibility of registering their objection and reasons related within the meeting minutes.
- The board shall not take decisions by circulations to separate members except when necessary, and only with written approval of the decisions by all members and to be presented to the board in the next meeting to be recorded in the meeting minutes.
- Board deliberations shall be recorded in minutes signed by the Chairman and attending members, and the objecting member may record his objection and the reasons therefore within the minutes of the board meeting.
Article 14:
The Authority shall have a President appointed pursuant to a decision of the Authority’s Board of Directors, upon to the approval of the President of the Council of Ministers. His remuneration and financial benefits shall be determined, and he shall be the executive officer responsible for managing and conducting the Authority’s affairs in accordance with this regulation and the decisions of the Board. He shall have the following competencies:
- Oversee drafting of the general policies, plans and programs running the work of the Authority and submit them to the board.
- Oversee the progress of work in the Authority in accordance to bylaws, plans and approved programs.
- Oversee drafting of the Authority budget and submit it to the Board.
- Represent the Authority before the judiciary, government entities and other authorities and institutions inside and outside the Kingdom.
- Approve decisions for appointment, promotions and end of service and approve awards and penalties for entire staff of the Authority base on established rules and regulations.
The Chairman may delegate some of his powers to whom he wishes of the Authority’s officials.
Article 15:
The Chairman shall have one or more vice-chairmen, in accordance to the organizing structure of the Authority, appointed by the Board upon his recommendation. The vice-chairmen shall perform work and exercise powers as delegated to them by the Chairman within the purview of the statue and approved bylaws procedures of the Authority.
Article 16:
Membership in the Authority shall be available to everyone with no discrimination whether for individuals or person of legal status, in accordance with the rules approved by the Board.
Article 17:
Except the Chairman, all employees of the Authority are subject to regulations applied on employees of general agencies and authorities, in regard their vocational statues, under the rules of the royal decree number 5464/MB dated 20/04/1426 H.
Article 18:
The Authority shall have an independent budget, prepared and issued according to preparations of issuance of KSA budget statement.
The Authority financial recourses shall consist of the following:
- Funds allocated by the state budget.
- Government subsides.
- Donations, gifts, bequest and endowments.
- Membership fees.
- Return of investments.
- Other resources approved by the Board.
Article 19:
Funds are allocated to be spent on what serves their objectives, the Authority have the power of ownership, act and investment of their funds. The Authority shall have the privilege to establish corporations or participate in establishment in accordance to commercial practices in alignment with their objectives and tasks and to be approved with rules set by the Board without getting involved in financial speculations nor high-risk investments.
Article 20:
Authority funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, and may open accounts in licensed banks inside the Kingdom and outside when required.
Article 21:
The Authority shall seek creation of reserve fund to encounter emergencies and exceptional situations; the fund would be deducted out of the available budget surplus sourced from subsides, donations, gifts, bequest and endowments or other resources approved by the Board for this purpose except from the allocations funded by the state general budget. The amount of the fund shall not exceed 10% of the annual budget of the Authority; and held in-cash into one of the banks with no right to dispose of the fund unless in exceptional situations deemed by the Board.
In case of urgency, it is possible to dispose the available fund by a decision of the Chairman and to be presented to the board in the next meeting for approval.
Article 22:
The financial year shall begin and end in parallel with Kingdom’s financial year.
Article 23:
Without prejudice to the prerogative of the General Auditing Bureau, the Authority shall have one internal auditor, and the Board may appoint one (or more) external auditor from legally responsible and liable personality licensed to work in the Kingdom.
In case of multiplicity of auditors, they shall be jointly and collectively responsible to the Authority for their works.
The auditor’s report shall be submitted to the Board with approved copy by the Board sent to the General Audit Bureau.
Article 24:
The Authority shall submit its final account to the Council of Ministers within a period of ninety days from the date of the end of the fiscal year with a copy provided to the General Auditing Bureau.
Article 25:
This Statute shall enter into force ninety days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Article 26:
This Statute replaces the Basic system of Saudi Red Crescent Society issued by Royal Decree number 14\M dated 12/04/1386 H and shall repeal all provisions conflicting therewith.