The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has announced the presence of 90 Saudi female paramedics within its cadres, responding to emergencies, particularly with the Authority's technological and professional advancements aligned with Vision 2030.

The SRCA stated that traffic congestion poses a challenge for ambulances, necessitating intensified awareness and educational campaigns to facilitate swift arrival at incident sites. They emphasized that the most important sacrifice is the safety of lives, extending aid to those in need. The SRCA stressed the humanitarian nature of emergency work, safeguarding lives through pre-hospital medical services and care. They also highlighted the significance of serving pilgrims and Umrah performers as a cornerstone of humanitarian work.

The SRCA further emphasized its commitment to aligning its strategy with Vision 2030 by linking its strategic objectives to the vision's third level, the health sector strategy. This includes enhancing the quality and efficiency of health services through improved emergency medical services, elevating the quality of medical services, bolstering preparedness for crises, improving emergency service efficiency, optimizing medical transfers, enhancing services for pilgrims, and encouraging volunteerism by enhancing the SRCA's capacity for volunteerism and community partnerships.

Regarding the role of social media in the SRCA's work and its impact on operations, they stated its crucial role in community awareness and education, conveying the SRCA's media message, and showcasing the organization's year-round emergency, humanitarian, and volunteer efforts.

The SRCA highlighted the collaboration of 90 Saudi female paramedics with emergency teams around the clock to provide emergency services to patients and accident victims. Addressing drivers' concerns about traffic violations when clearing the way for ambulances at traffic signals, the SRCA confirmed that, based on regulations regarding clearing the way for emergency vehicles, as previously announced by the Traffic Department and Article 8/54 of the Traffic Law, drivers must immediately vacate their position when hearing emergency vehicles or official convoys at intersections to allow them passage without hindrance.

The Traffic Department added that if a driver is stopped at a traffic light, they must safely clear the way for the emergency vehicle without posing a risk to themselves or other drivers, allowing the emergency vehicle to pass the intersection. The driver should not follow or overtake the emergency vehicle while it is performing its duty. If clearing the way results in the automated monitoring device capturing a violation, the system operator will review the incident before recording it. If a violation is recorded for running a red light, the driver can appeal to the Traffic Violations Appeals Board in the city where the violation occurred to request its cancellation if it is proven that the violation was recorded due to clearing the way for an emergency vehicle.

Regarding volunteerism, the SRCA stated that the total number of volunteers reached 184,964, with a total of 4,570,040 volunteer hours, providing 40,987 volunteer opportunities. Volunteer activities spanned sports, education, environment, media, administration, emergency services, and humanitarian work.

Regarding free courses offered by the SRCA and the application process, the SRCA stated that it has a long history of awareness and education through lectures on first aid in public places, government, and private sectors. The SRCA also offers specialized first aid courses at a nominal fee through its "Life Ambassador" program.

Regarding how to volunteer with the Authority, especially during seasons (Hajj, and Umrah in Ramadan): The Authority stated that joining the Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s volunteer program is simple and quick through their volunteer platform. After completing the volunteer process, volunteering opportunities are offered, whether throughout the year or specifically for the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Regarding the types of accreditation for specialized courses (whether from the Saudi Heart Association or the American Heart Association): The response was that they have several international accreditations, including the American Heart Association, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, International Academies of Emergency Operations, International Trauma Life Support, the First Aid Reference Center, the Saudi Heart Association, and the Institute of Emergency Care and Safety.

On the Authority's most notable achievements in recent times: The Authority has many accomplishments and successes that cannot be fully detailed in this brief space. What drives those working within this system is the preservation of lives, and after that, every achievement is made for this purpose.

Regarding the Authority’s role in enhancing healthcare services for citizens and residents in the Kingdom: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority operates within the Kingdom's health system through its emergency and volunteer work year-round. The Authority provides pre-hospital medical care for patients and then transports them to the hospital via ground and air ambulances.

On the main challenges faced by the Authority recently: One challenge has been reaching emergency cases quickly amid increasing population in the Kingdom’s cities, leading to traffic congestion and insufficient cooperation from road users with ambulances, which impedes their movement and delays their arrival at service locations. Several media campaigns have been conducted to educate the public about the importance of clearing the way for ambulances.