A retrospective study on the infrastructure of emergency medical dispatch services during Arba'een pilgrimage, Iraq

Background. A mass-gathering event is defined as the presence of more than 1,000 people gathered at the same location for a specific period. Objective. To study the health problems encountered during the peak period of crowding at the same location. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study with a sample size of 30 healthcare personnel who participated in health dispatches during the Arba'een of Imam Al-Hussein in the Al-Diwaniyah Governorate over nine days, leading to the holy city of Karbala. We focused on common minor health issues and road accidents. Results. Analgesics such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used by 100% of participants, skin ointments and bandages by 82%, intravenous fluids by 60%, anti-acids and antibiotics by 43%, and paracetamol by 25%, along with other medications frequently prescribed by the non-doctor medical team. Conclusion. Most cases required minimal medical intervention. Proper organization of medical infrastructure for such mass-gathering events is crucial, as the population continues to increase in future events.