JEDDAH — Red Crescent ambulances have stopped transporting kidney failure patients to hospitals. This has caused patients many annoyances, as they have to visit hospitals two or three times a week for dialysis. Ahmad, a kidney patient who suffers from limb paralysis, said that only last week the Red Crescent ambulance transported him to and from King Fahd Hospital. The ambulances are properly equipped for kidney patients as the case may arise. He spoke to the director of King Fahd Hospital, but was told that it was not the responsibility of the hospital to transport patients from their homes to the hospital. The hospital will only transport patients after treatment from the hospital to their residence. Ahmad said that he cannot afford a limousine twice a week for dialysis, and his sister cannot carry him because he suffers from spinal cord injury and limb paralysis. Saeed, another kidney patient, said that he faces great trouble when he needs to visit the hospital for dialysis. His son carries him, assisted by the limousine driver, while Red Crescent crew used to do this before. He said that as soon he finishes his dialysis, his son asks the hospital for an ambulance, and he has to wait for two hours before an ambulance is available. Makkah Province Red Crescent spokesman, Ali Al-Ghamdi, said that the Red Crescent role is to answer emergency cases, and not to transport patients. There are instances, he added, where the Red Crescent may transport patients to hospitals.
