(MENAFN- Arab News) Security and government agencies responsible for pilgrims' welfare during Haj are fully equipped to tackle any disaster including a helicopter ambulance and doctors linked with different hospitals to transfer the sick pilgrims immediately the director of Al Noor Specialist Hospital Mohammed bin Omar Bafaraj told Arab News.

He said that the medical evacuation program is being successfully implemented through workshops and training of the workers to handle emergencies with the participation of the Civil Defense Metropolitan Police of Makkah traffic management and security patrols and Red Crescent Authority in the holy city.

He said the preparations had achieved many positive results for the safety programs developed at the hospital the continuous training programs to deal with disasters and crises and updates on the ongoing plans and programs according to the latest local and global applications with training and effective coordination between the relevant government agencies.

Brig. Gen. Sami Aljdani director of Civil Defense called on the staff to be responsible and prepared to handle any situation. He expressed his happiness at the Makkah health officials' development of the safety programs in the city's different hospitals.

'Such developments are part of the Civil Defense's plans where coordination with all departments aims to raise the level of safety awareness and team spirit' Aljdani said.

He noted that workshops training programs and awareness campaigns will help to overcome any shortcomings monitored during these activities and the problems resolved. Professor Bandar bin Abdullah Barahim branch manager of the Red Crescent said that though the Red Crescent is on the alert throughout the year to deal with emergencies of various kinds these training workshops will enable Red Crescent workers to educate and train others. 'The training workshops will help to raise the workers' capabilities and equip them with the skills needed to deal with any emergency situation' he said.

He pointed out that such workshops are particularly helpful for workers of small hospitals during Haj.

Jamil bin Hamza Ikram assistant director of support services and chairman of the Committee on Safety and Disaster Noor Specialist Hospital said: 'The main objectives are to promote a culture of safety and increase the abilities of workers to deal with disasters or any emergency.