Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The healthcare system provides comprehensive care to pilgrims throughout their Hajj journey. It begins with the 937 Call Center, offering medical consultations, and includes the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, which delivers emergency ambulance services before transporting patients to hospitals and health centers for emergency and specialist care.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority oversees food and drug safety, while the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) assesses public health risks on the ground. Medical supplies for health facilities are secured through the company Nupco.

The health and safety of the pilgrims are of paramount importance to Saudi Arabia. The healthcare system offers integrated care to pilgrims through all participating entities, including hospitals, medical centers, mobile clinics, smart applications, ambulance services, and laboratories. This comprehensive health plan involves skilled personnel and advanced facilities in Makkah, Madinah, and various holy sites, ensuring the best healthcare for pilgrims during this year's Hajj season 1445 AH. So far, over 142,000 pilgrims have benefited from the medical services provided.

More than 35,000 medical and administrative staff and over 5,500 volunteers are dedicated to offering round-the-clock superior healthcare to pilgrims across 183 hospitals and health centers and 6 mobile clinics equipped with the latest medical technologies. These facilities include over 6,400 beds, encompassing intensive care, emergency beds, and beds designated for heat stroke and heat stress cases.

The healthcare system employs modern technologies to deliver medical services to pilgrims, including the Virtual Health Hospital and its virtual clinics, which provide remote healthcare services using advanced technologies. The "Sehhaty" smartphone application offers medical consultations and information, while the 937 Call Center has a team of consultants and healthcare practitioners responding to pilgrims' inquiries and providing urgent medical advice in seven languages.

The private health sector's contribution to the Hajj season has grown by more than 400% compared to last year, enhancing the partnership with the private sector, expanding service scope, and elevating the level of healthcare. This supports the health of the pilgrims.

The private sector participates in the healthcare system through various operational models, including the Ministry of Health's initiative to empower the private health sector in Mina. There are over 62 health facilities and emergency points. Additionally, the private sector provides emergency services for the pilgrims using the Mashaer Train operated by the Saudi Railways Organization (SAR), with emergency services stationed at 18 locations along the train route in the holy sites to ensure pilgrims complete their Hajj safely and healthily.

The private sector operates 2 of the 25 health centers run by the Ministry of Health, with a full healthcare team and ambulances, integrated with the healthcare system and electronic linkage.

These initiatives by the Ministry of Health to strengthen the partnership with the private sector aim to achieve the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program.