Dr. Maad Al-Saati, Head of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Riyadh, confirmed that medical teams successfully treated with high efficiency and in record time people wounded in the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Regarding the protocol for handling the injured upon their arrival at the hospital, Al-Saati told Asharq Al-Awsat that cases were classified into three main categories under a precise triage system.
The first comprised critical and severe cases, which were handled with immediate precision by a specialized emergency center; urgent examinations and surgeries were performed directly to save the lives of all those requiring such intervention.
He noted that moderate cases received initial treatment in the emergency department immediately upon arrival before being transferred directly to the operating room. Meanwhile, mild cases received the necessary treatment solely within the emergency department and were cleared for discharge after ensuring their health conditions were stable.
25 surgeries in 10 hours
He revealed that within just ten hours of the attack, 25 surgeries were performed covering various injuries.
All surgeries were successful, with the cases affected by shrapnel and various wounds handled in a smooth and professional manner, he added.
Regarding the current medical status of the injured, Al-Saati said that only two cases remain under intensive care, while the remaining patients have been transferred to designated inpatient wards.
Many cases have achieved full recovery, while others will require more surgeries, he revealed.
400 medical staff
Al-Saati said that around 400 specialized medical personnel treated the victims, covering a range of procedures, such as general, orthopedic, neurosurgery, vascular and pediatric surgeries.
The team acted with high efficiency and in record time according to international standards, he stressed.
Al-Saati expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the full and continuous support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their gracious and comprehensive care of the sick and injured of all nationalities following the attack.
