Saudi Gazette report

MINA — The general health status of the pilgrims during Hajj 2023 is reassuring as no outbreaks or cases of diseases that endanger public health have been recorded among them, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health has stated.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdali made the remarks during a joint first press conference as this year's Hajj pilgrimage got underway. He said the operation plans set forth by the Ministry of Health for the current Hajj season have been completely implemented and are running smoothly.

The number of health personnel deployed for the Hajj operation this year exceeded 32,000, who, complemented by the entire healthcare system, provide medical care to pilgrims from the moment of their arrival in Saudi Arabia through 14 entry ports, including airports, seaports and land crossings.

Dr. Al-Abdali said that the healthcare network serving the pilgrims extends through 140 health centers and 32 hospitals, including 3 field hospitals.

He added that these hospitals operate with a combined capacity of 6,132 beds, including 761 beds for intensive care, and 222 beds for treating heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The health system also includes several first aid points and medical centers in places that serve pilgrims during their presence in the Holy Sites, Dr. Al-Abdali said.

He said the services are transmitted according to the movement of the pilgrims.

He added that there are 190 mobile medical units, 16 first aid points and an emergency medical center at the Jamarat in Mina.

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SCRA) also provides thousands of services, including emergency services on call.

SCRA provides services utilizing advanced technologies. It has a fleet of 247 ambulances, air ambulances and advanced vehicles ready to serve the pilgrims.

The Health Ministry spokesperson said the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) provides important services and monitors the epidemiological situation. It has rapid intervention units, as well as mobile units to monitor, follow up and conduct advanced tests.

With regard to food and medicine during the Hajj period, the spokesperson indicated that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) provides a range of services, such as inspection of food, medicine and equipment at all outlets and ports of entry.

SFDA also conducted many awareness tours that contributed to raising the necessary safety levels for those who deal with food. Its officials conducted nearly 3,000 inspection tours, in addition to many other activities.

SFDA inspects and controls medicines in accordance with the requirements, specifications and standards, and is careful to ensure that none of the medicines is prescribed without considering warnings, risks or complications.

The total number of health services that have been provided to pilgrims so far has crossed 31,000, including pilgrims hospitalized in various health facilities.

Dr. Al-Abdali indicated that some cases required surgical intervention, such as open-heart surgeries. In all, 23 major surgeries have been recorded so far during this Hajj season.

This is in addition to 168 cardiac catheterizations, and 460 cases of dialysis, as well as services provided by the virtual hospital to about 900 pilgrims.

The spokesman called on the pilgrims to strictly follow preventive precautions to ensure their health. He advised them to avoid direct exposure to the sun, carry umbrellas, drink a lot of water, and rest as much as possible.

Pilgrims who need any health assistance can contact the call center number 937, which operates around the clock and in multiple languages.

On his part, Talal Al-Shalhoub, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the implementation of the first phase of the plan to transport the pilgrims from Makkah to Mina was completed on the day of Tarwiyah so the pilgrims could spend the night there in preparation for their trip to Arafat on Tuesday.

Al-Shalhoub said Saudi Arabia is teaching the world lessons on crowd management, emphasizing that pilgrims are a red line and the Kingdom will not accept any danger occurring to them.

He also indicated that the authorities directly monitor any transgressions or violations by the Hajj campaigns to ensure that they do not affect the general safety of the pilgrims.

The special Hajj forces are continuing to carry out their tasks. Officers are stationed at all entrances leading to Makkah and roads and passages leading to the Grand Mosque, Al-Shalhoub said, adding that they ensure all internal pilgrims carry necessary permits to perform the Hajj.

Al-Shalhoub said a tight security cordon will be imposed around the Holy Sites until the end of the Hajj season.

He confirmed that a number of transporters were arrested at the entrances of Makkah for attempting to transport violators of the Hajj regulations and pilgrims without permits.

Penalties will be applied against the violators, as well as those who transported them.

Violators will be punished with a fine of SR50,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months. The vehicle used will be confiscated and the violators will be named and shamed.

Addressing the press conference, Undersecretary for Hajj Affairs Ayed Al-Ghuwainem said serving the pilgrims is a top priority and a long historical commitment that the Saudi leadership is proud of.

The percentage of pilgrims who arrived in Mina reached 65%, and the remaining pilgrims will be transported, as per their requests, to Arafat directly.

In partnership with the National Center for Environmental Compliance, the environmental conditions and air quality are being monitored.

Al-Ghuwainem said reports indicate that air quality is good. It was measured 20 days ago through 10 centers in Makkah and the Holy Sites.