The Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed its readiness for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage by preparing 25 hospitals, 156 health centers and 5,000 beds to deal with suspected cases of infectious diseases.
Prior to the Hajj, which begins on Friday, the ministry prepared its facilities to deal with cases of suspected infectious respiratory diseases by providing respiratory isolation rooms, intensive care units and fixed and mobile clinics around the pilgrimage sites.
It also deployed 30,000 of its personnel to provide health services to the pilgrims. It set up 18 medical posts on the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line and 17 emergency centers on the Jamaraat bridge and provided 180 ambulances. Authorities also prepared six helipads in Makkah and Madina hospitals.
The Health Ministry’s Department of Communication, PR and Awareness told Asharq Al-Awsat that it has completed preparing the preventative measures, which begin the moment pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom. They cover airports and eight land border crossings.
The ministry underlined the importance of health monitoring at crossings, saying they are crucial in preventing infected pilgrims from entering the Kingdom.
Embassies and countries are demanded to comply with health requirements and disclosing information on the health status of pilgrims. This facilitates dealing with any emergency that may pose a threat to public health during the Hajj.
The ministry noted that meningitis, yellow fever and polio are among the most infectious diseases that need to monitored.
Trained personnel can reach a pilgrim in need of medical attention in an average of five seconds, at least, and 20 minutes at most.
Health teams are required to obtain a basic infection control license, which includes training on the basics of infection control, personal protection and access to influenza and meningitis vaccines.
The Health Ministry stressed that precautionary measures for this year also include preventing camels from being at the Hajj and Umrah areas for any purpose.
Furthermore, the ministry said it has started implementing its annual awareness program, “Your Health Consultant in Hajj”, which provides pilgrims with medical advice and guidance through 937 health centers. The program will receive top experts and consultants in various medical specialties to respond to all pilgrims’ questions and inquiries.
