Saudi Red Crescent Society paramedics exert extraordinary efforts every Ramadan to answer the call of duty and be on alert to help the injured and victims of accidents everywhere.
Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited paramedics in Tabuk and spent a few hours with them.
As the paramedics were preparing to break their fast, they were called to attend an emergency. The men stopped everything and in a matter of minutes were on their way to respond.
With only a few dates and water to break their fast, the men arrived at the scene of a road accident and helped the victims before returning to their station.
Paramedic Ali Al-Eneizi said most emergency cases in Ramadan involve road accidents and take place shortly before Maghrib prayer.
“This is a dangerous time as everyone is trying to reach home before Maghrib so they can break their fasts with family. Some cases have to do with patients who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases,” Al-Eneizi said.
Humood Saud, another paramedic, said they encounter difficulties reaching the scene of an accident because people gather and block traffic flow. “We do our best to get there as soon as possible but if people stop on the road preventing the flow of traffic, it makes the jobs of emergency crews harder,” he said.
His colleague Turki Al-Eneizi said sometimes they receive fake reports of accidents. “We respond to every case once it has been reported. I wish those who prank us knew how much time we waste responding to every call. I wish they knew that we could have used the time to respond to a real case and help someone who was actually in need of it,” he said.
This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette on July 6, 2014.
-
In the mood for comfort food? 5 delicious Ramadan soup recipes
Soup, a traditional dish at Iftar, adds variety to every table during the holy month of Ramadan. Variety -
Top 10 Ramadan drinks to beat dehydration this summer
As the body loses liquids, Muslims need to drink more after Iftar in order to avoid dehydration Healthy Living -
Ramadan series: The mountains of Makkah
The mountains surrounding the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, have witnessed numerous miracles and revelations related to the Islamic faith. ... Reports -
Ramadan series: Story behind Mount Uhud
Only miles apart from al-Madina, the Islamic faith’s second city after Makkah, lays Mount Uhud, one of the highly revered mountains in Islamic ... Reports -
‘Glam and modest’: DKNY launches Ramadan collection
The line boasts long, flowing dresses, skirts, and jumpsuits Fashion and beauty