livinginmakkah.com

Category: Healthcare

  • Emergency Numbers and Hospitals in Makkah: What to Call and What to Have Ready

    Emergency Numbers and Hospitals in Makkah: What to Call and What to Have Ready

    In an emergency, the last thing you want is to search for a phone number. This guide sets out the official emergency numbers that work in Makkah, the main government hospitals with emergency departments, and the details to have ready before you ever need them.

    Save the numbers in your phone today, and share this page with everyone in your household.

    Quick answer

    In Makkah, call 911 for any emergency: it is the unified emergency number for the Makkah region. You can also call 997 for an ambulance, 998 for Civil Defense (fire and rescue) and 999 for police. For non-urgent medical advice, call the Ministry of Health on 937, which runs 24/7.

    Key takeaways

    • 911: the unified emergency number, handled for the Makkah region by a single operations centre (National Platform).
    • 997 / 998 / 999: ambulance, Civil Defense and police, listed on the National Platform.
    • 937: Ministry of Health line with 24/7 doctor consultations and poisoning advice (MOH).
    • Asifny: the Saudi Red Crescent app for requesting an ambulance and sharing your location (SRCA).

    The numbers to save first

    Makkah is one of the regions served by the Unified Security Operations Center (911). Makkah’s 911 centre is the region’s unified emergency operations number: it routes calls to the right service around the clock. The National Platform lists 911 as the Unified Emergency Number; Civil Defense also publishes “Call us 911 or 998”.

    So 911 is the one number every family member should know by heart. The operator routes your call to the right service.

    The service-specific numbers below are also listed on the National Platform and by Saudi mobile operators.

    SituationCallWho answers
    Any emergency, or not sure which service911Unified emergency operations centre
    Someone is seriously ill or injured997 (or 911)Saudi Red Crescent ambulance
    Fire, gas leak, trapped person, flooding998 (or 911)Civil Defense
    Crime or threat to safety999 (or 911)Police
    Medical advice, not an emergency937Ministry of Health call centre
    Which number to call in Makkah

    At a glance

    16

    governorates served by the Makkah region’s 911 centre, plus Makkah city

    911

    unified emergency number for the Makkah region (police, ambulance, civil defence)

    500

    beds at King Abdullah Medical City

    When it is not an emergency: 937 and Sehhaty

    Many health worries are not emergencies, such as a question about a medicine or a mild fever. For these, the Ministry of Health’s 937 line offers medical consultations with doctors 24/7, advice on poisoning cases, and a channel for complaints and feedback.

    The Sehhaty app also has an Instant Consultations service, where you describe the condition and consult an MOH-approved doctor remotely. The National Platform lists it as available through the app and website.

    If you need help choosing a regular clinic for follow-up, read our guide on how to find a trusted, licensed clinic in Makkah.

    Warning

    Do not wait for a call-back or an app reply if someone has chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding or has collapsed. Call 911 or 997 straight away.

    Major government hospitals in Makkah

    Public hospitals in the city are run by the Makkah Health Cluster, under the Ministry of Health. In its 2024 Ramadan readiness announcement, the MOH named these Makkah hospitals as having fully equipped emergency departments:

    • King Abdullah Medical City: one of the largest medical complexes in the Western Region, and the cluster’s reference hospital for heart and stroke cases.
    • Al Noor Specialist Hospital: a government hospital near Muzdalifah, about 3.5 km from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, according to the cluster.
    • King Faisal Hospital and King Abdulaziz Hospital.
    • Hira (Heraa) General Hospital.
    • Maternity and Children’s Hospital.
    • Ajyad Emergency Hospital: close to the Grand Mosque, and described by the MOH as operating around the clock for its visitors.

    The cluster says it transfers patients between its hospitals according to their medical condition, so the nearest emergency department is usually the right first stop.

    Good to know

    Opening hours, departments and access routes can change, especially in Ramadan and Hajj. Check the Makkah Health Cluster website for the current list of hospitals and contact details.

    What to have ready before you need it

    Responders need to know where you are and what is happening, and hospitals need to know who the patient is.

    Location is often the hardest part, especially for new residents. Learn your building’s National Address, or note a well-known nearby landmark you can describe clearly. The Red Crescent’s Asifny app can share your location with the ambulance team and lets you store medical history in advance.

    Household emergency kit

    • 911, 997, 998, 999 and 937 saved in every family member’s phone
    • Your home address or a clear landmark written by the phone or on the fridge
    • Iqama or ID copies for each family member
    • Health insurance card and policy number
    • A list of allergies, regular medicines and chronic conditions
    • Asifny installed and set up with medical details
    • A charged phone and a small first-aid kit at home

    How to make the call

    Stay as calm as you can and let the operator lead. Short, clear answers help.

    Calling for help, step by step

    1

    Check it is safe: move away from fire, traffic or other danger before you call.

    2

    Dial 911 (or 997 for an ambulance): say clearly what kind of emergency it is.

    3

    Give your location: district, street, building and a landmark, or share it through Asifny.

    4

    Describe the patient or incident: age, symptoms, and whether they are breathing and responsive.

    5

    Follow instructions and stay on the line: do not hang up until the operator tells you to.

    6

    Prepare for arrival: send someone to meet the team, and have ID and insurance ready.

    Tip

    Teach older children how to call 911 and how to describe your address. Practise it once, calmly, so it feels familiar.

    Emergencies near the Haram

    Al-Masjid Al-Haram has its own health services for worshippers. The MOH described emergency centres inside the mosque and a hospital in its northern courtyards as part of its Ramadan plans, alongside Ajyad Emergency Hospital nearby.

    If someone in your group feels unwell in the crowds, tell the nearest staff member or security officer straight away. They can call for help and guide you to the closest medical point. Keep water with you and rest in shaded areas, especially in the hotter months.

    This guide is general information, not medical advice. Last checked: 12 October 2026. Always follow the instructions of emergency operators and medical staff.

    Related

    Sources

  • How to Find a Trusted, Licensed Clinic in Makkah

    How to Find a Trusted, Licensed Clinic in Makkah

    Finding a clinic you trust is one of the first things families do after moving to Makkah, ideally before anyone actually needs one. This guide explains how to use the official tools to check facilities and practitioners, where to get advice when you aren’t sure how urgent something is, and what a good clinic listing should show you.

    It names no clinics. Instead, it gives you a method you can apply to any clinic you’re considering.

    Know the main pieces of the system

    • Makkah Health Cluster. Public healthcare in the region is organized through the Makkah Health Cluster, which runs government hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
    • Sehhaty. The Ministry of Health’s platform, where you can book appointments at eligible facilities, view some health records and use other services.
    • 937. The Ministry of Health’s call center, which gives medical consultations by doctors 24/7 from inside the Kingdom and also takes complaints and feedback.
    • Private clinics and hospitals. These serve many residents, often through employer health insurance.

    Using Sehhaty: The Ministry of Health lists services in the Sehhaty platform that include instant medical consultations, booking and reviewing appointments, remote appointments, reviewing medical reports and sick leaves, and vaccination follow-up. What you can use depends on your account and eligible facilities, so check inside the app.

    Health insurance: According to the Council of Health Insurance (CHI) frequently asked questions, the employer alone is responsible for paying insurance premiums for employees and their dependents, and must provide health insurance throughout employment, including the probation period. For non-Saudis, cover starts from the date of service transfer or entry into the Kingdom, provided that is done within ten working days of entry. Confirm the details on your own policy with your employer or insurer.

    See our healthcare tips for a short overview.

    Step 1: Decide what kind of care you need

    SituationWhere to start
    Life-threatening emergencyCall emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department
    Not sure how urgent it isCall 937 or use Instant Consultations in Sehhaty
    Routine check-up, vaccinations, chronic follow-upPrimary care center or a family-medicine clinic
    Specialist issueAsk your GP or insurer for a referral, then check the specialist (see Step 3)

    Step 2: Check the facility’s licence

    The Ministry of Health has an FAQ explaining how to look up a medical facility’s licence. You enter the facility’s licence number to see its details. Healthcare facilities are licensed through the MOH’s licensing services.

    Practical tip: Licensed clinics usually display their licence. If you can’t see it, it’s reasonable to ask for the number politely and look it up yourself.

    Step 3: Check the practitioner

    The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) offers a free online service for checking that a healthcare practitioner’s registration is valid. It’s listed on the National Platform as well. You can search using details such as the practitioner’s ID or SCFHS registration number.

    This is especially worth doing for:

    • Dental and cosmetic procedures.
    • Home-visit nurses or physiotherapists.
    • Anyone offering treatment outside a normal clinic setting.

    Step 4: Check the practical fit

    A licensed clinic still has to suit your family:

    • Insurance: Is your insurer’s network accepted? Confirm with the insurer, not only the clinic.
    • Language: Can staff explain diagnoses and medicines in a language you understand?
    • Location and access: Think about the journey in peak traffic and during busy seasons, when roads near the central area can be slow.
    • Opening hours: Evening and weekend availability matters with young children.
    • Women’s and children’s care: Are female doctors available if your family prefers? Is there a pediatrician on site?

    What a trustworthy clinic listing should show

    When you compare clinics (including in our directory), look for:

    • The facility’s registered name and licence information.
    • A clear address or National Address, plus a map pin.
    • Specialties offered and working hours.
    • Accepted insurance networks (and you still confirm these with your insurer).
    • Official contact channels, not only a personal mobile number.

    Be careful with ads that promise guaranteed cures, push you to pay large amounts upfront, or offer medicines without a prescription.

    Keep a family health file

    • Save your nearest emergency department and a primary care option in your phone.
    • Keep a list of allergies, regular medicines and vaccination records.
    • Note your insurance policy number and the insurer’s helpline.
    • Add 937 to your contacts.

    When something goes wrong

    If you have a concern about care you received, you can raise it through the Ministry of Health’s official channels, including 937, which handles complaints and feedback.

    More resident guides are on the Living in Makkah homepage.

    Last checked: 15 October 2026.

    This guide is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.

    Sources