JHAH Nurses Help Abqaiq Community ‘Beat the Heat’
July 27, 2026
Abqaiq Primary Care nursing team reaches 1,700 people with lifesaving heat-safety education at two-day Saudi Aramco community campaign.
As summer temperatures across the region climbed toward their annual peak, the nursing team from JHAH's Abqaiq Primary Care took their expertise out of the clinic and into the community – helping some 1,700 people learn how to recognize, prevent and respond to heat-related illness.
The team led JHAH's "Beat the Heat" booth at the Heat Stress Awareness Campaign, organized by the Saudi Aramco Community Services Department at Ain Dar Hall in Abqaiq from June 22 to 23. Over two mornings, employees, dependents and contractors stopped by for practical guidance on staying safe through the hottest weeks of the year.
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can quickly become dangerous and knowing how to manage the risk can save lives. Visitors to the JHAH booth learned to spot the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the first-aid steps that matter most in the critical early minutes and when to seek medical attention. The team also shared guidance on safe work practices during periods of extreme heat and the central role of hydration and nutrition.
One of the booth's most popular features brought that advice to life: a model display showing the foods and drinks that help the body stay hydrated (water-rich fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumber, and electrolyte-replenishing drinks) – and those that quietly do the opposite (caffeinated drinks such as coffee, sugary sodas and salty snacks). Many visitors stayed on to ask the nurses about body mass index, diet and electrolyte drinks, turning a quick booth visit into a personal health conversation.
“Heat-related illnesses are preventable,” said Annu John, Nurse Manager at Abqaiq Primary Care, SPARK Clinic and Home Health. “Through education, preparedness and community collaboration, we can protect our families, workers and vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat. Abqaiq Health Center has always played a pivotal role in the wellbeing of the community, and this year that partnership continues.”
John led the JHAH team on the ground along with Charge Nurse Reyzel Tamse, assisted by registered nurse Alhanouf Alghamdi, as well as support staff Abdullah AlFaraj and Sarah Alajmi. The campaign also received strong support from JHAH’s Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Hani Ayyad, and Dr. Mohammed Al Ghamdi, Chief of Southern Area Operations.
The initiative reflects the strength of the partnership between JHAH and Saudi Aramco Community Services, a collaboration recognized by the organizers, who praised the team's role in fostering a healthier and safer environment for the community.
“Our collaboration with JHAH has been vital in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our workforces,” said Ali S. Al Mansour, Saudi Aramco Operational Excellence and Compliance. “Going forward, we wish to see even more efforts in evolving the occupational health protocols in all operational fronts.”
The campaign is part of JHAH's broader commitment to preventive, community-based care: meeting people where they are, before illness begins.
As the summer continues, the message from Abqaiq is simple – hydrate, rest, seek shade, and know the signs. Beating the heat starts with knowing how.