Dr. Maad Al-Saati, Head of the Orthopedic Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital in Riyadh, confirmed that the medical system succeeded in dealing with high efficiency and in record time with cases injured as a result of targeting King Khalid International Airport.
Regarding the mechanism for dealing with the injured when cases arrive via ambulances and emergency vehicles, Dr. Al-Saati stated, in statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, that the cases were classified into three main sections, according to an accurate sorting system, of which the critical and dangerous cases constituted the first section, as they were dealt with accurately and directly by a specialized emergency center, and examinations and urgent operations were performed directly on them, saving the lives of everyone who needed this intervention.
He pointed to the moderate cases that were initially treated in the emergency department upon their arrival, then referred directly to the operating room to complete surgical treatment, and the mild cases for which the necessary treatment was only provided in the emergency department, and it was decided to discharge them from the hospital after checking on their health condition.
25 surgeries within 10 hours
The head of the Orthopedic Surgery Department revealed that within just ten hours of the accident, 25 various surgical operations were performed, including the specialties of general surgery, vascular surgery (veins), and orthopedic surgery, stressing that the operations were performed successfully, and the cases affected by the various shrapnels and wounds were dealt with in a smooth and professional manner.
Regarding the current medical situation of the injured, Al-Saati indicated that there are only two cases still under intensive care, while the rest of the cases have been transferred to designated hospitalization wards. He pointed out that there are many cases that have fully recovered, while the treatment of some cases requires complementary operations and will be dealt with according to treatment plans during the coming days.
400 medical personnel
Dr. Al-Saati added that these efforts involved about 400 specialized medical personnel, distributed among various medical fields and sectors, especially general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery, in addition to pediatric surgery. This entire team was available to care for various cases, and they acted with high efficiency and in record time in accordance with internationally followed standards, which led to the protection and assistance of patients and complete control of the repercussions.
Dr. Maad Al-Saati concluded his statements to Asharq Al-Awsat by thanking and appreciating the full and continuous support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his faithful Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for their generous and comprehensive care for the sick and injured of all nationalities after this incident.
In one moment, the competent authorities, including the security and health sectors, and others, rushed to the site of King Khalid International Airport, where medical teams spread throughout the airport terminal, to rescue the injured and distribute them to nearby hospitals in different neighborhoods in the capital, Riyadh, while the rest of the government and private hospitals were on alert in case of need. The security authorities also worked to facilitate the smooth flow of movement within the city for the arrival of ambulances transporting the injured.
