Makkah, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Health has announced its full readiness to serve pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season. The organization has implemented comprehensive preparations and new technologies in all hospitals, health centers, and mobile clinics in Makkah, Madinah, and various holy sites to ensure the provision of the best healthcare for visitors.
According to health authorities, over 32,000 medical and administrative staff have been deployed across 183 healthcare facilities, including 32 hospitals, 151 health centers, and 6 mobile clinics. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technologies and have a capacity of over 6,400 beds, including intensive care, emergency, and heatstroke units.
In addition to human and material resources, Saudi Health has also employed the latest healthcare technologies and automated services. This includes the continued operation of the virtual health hospital and its associated virtual clinics, which provide remote healthcare services using advanced technologies. The “Sehati” application is also being utilized to deliver advisory services and medical information to pilgrims through smartphones. Integrated electronic systems and platforms have been established to manage the health data of pilgrims and coordinate efforts among various healthcare facilities. Moreover, coordination with relevant authorities has been established to employ drones for the swift and efficient transportation of blood units and laboratory samples between hospitals in the holy sites.
The Ministry of Health is also participating in the “Road to Makkah” initiative, which aims to facilitate entry procedures for pilgrims, apply health regulations, and complete preventive measures before their arrival in the Kingdom. This coordination with participating countries ensures the compliance of pilgrims with health requirements prior to their arrival, allowing them to proceed directly to their accommodations without the need for verification procedures at the ports of entry. Efforts to raise health awareness among pilgrims are also being intensified through the distribution of educational brochures and the broadcast of awareness programs on display screens at ports, halls, and pilgrim mission headquarters. This aims to raise the level of health awareness among pilgrims and ensure their adherence to health guidelines for their well-being and safety.
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has also finalized its preparations, allocating all of its resources, including ground and air ambulance fleets, to provide high-quality ambulance services under the slogan “Facilitation and Reassurance.” The authority has provided over 2,540 medical, administrative, and female leadership personnel, distributed among 98 ambulance centers in the entry points, Hajj routes, the holy capital, the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and the holy sites. It has also reinforced its human resources with over 694 ambulances and seven air ambulances to ensure prompt arrival to emergency cases. The authority emphasizes the importance of activating the role of first responders in providing initial medical aid before the arrival of ambulance teams and implementing volunteer roles. It also underscores the significance of integration with other entities through scenario-based exercises to enhance the preparedness of ambulance teams and ensure an optimal response during the Hajj season.
The Public Health Authority, “Weqaya,” is actively participating in the Hajj season by conducting proactive monitoring and enhancing general readiness to respond to public health emergencies. It focuses on preventive measures against infectious and non-infectious diseases, heat-related injuries, and the issuance of preventive protocols. It monitors public health risks on the ground during the Hajj season in the holy sites and takes necessary preventive interventions. The authority also promotes awareness and education through various media channels and deploys surveillance teams in the holy sites before and during the Hajj season. The mobile infectious disease units are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technologies for immediate measures.
The Saudi Food and Drug Administration has conducted over 1,741 field visits and inspections of its regulated facilities and collaborated with the Hajj Affairs Offices through air cargo shipments at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah to inspect incoming products. So far, it has identified 69 non-compliant items out of a total of 12,193 items received from 44 countries. The authority has also contributed to the awareness and training of 2,344 personnel working in catering kitchens in cooperation with the Municipality of the Holy Capital, the Municipality of Madinah, and relevant government entities. It has established awareness pavilions in the fields of food, drugs, medical devices, and products for pilgrims, delivering informative messages in nine frequently spoken languages among the pilgrims. Additionally, it supports the awareness of mission leaders in the Hajj delegations by coordinating and integrating with relevant entities to ensure the safety and quality of pilgrims’ food, medications, and medical devices.
