Dr. Salah Al-Mazrou, the Deputy Minister of Health for Supply and Engineering Affairs; and the head of Hajj Technical Supportive Services Committee (for medical supply and equipment), has affirmed that sufficient medicines have been provided to cover the need of the pilgrims throughout the Hajj days. And this is among large amounts of medicines the Kingdom has provided at RS 4-5 billion worth. In addition, he referred that the surplus out of these medicines would be distributed to the Kingdom's regions shortly after the Hajj rituals have ended.
At a press conference he had at the Mina Emergency Hospital building, Dr. Al-Mazrou said that the Ministry of Health had worked at full capacity to provide the necessary medicines; in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who gave directives, May Allah protect him, to the effect that treatment is provided to whoever reaches the Holy Lands (places where the Hajj and Umrah are performed); he also added that 8 hospitals and 97 health centers had been supplied with all their needs of medicines and medical supplies. In addition, 4 refrigerated vehicles were prepared to handle the pilgrims who sustain sun strokes. Also, the Ministry designated 85 ambulances and 50 small vehicles to be close from the pilgrims' gatherings; and they are supported with the medical supplies and the medical staff. However, he affirmed that in such a way the pilgrims admitting to hospitals were diminished, as the pilgrim receives their treatment on the spot, especially when it comes to sun strokes, which are treated using new devices through the intravenous. They amount to 10 devices, with 5 devices added to them this year; Allah willing, they are able to have the injured come around from the coma within 3 hours. He also added that sun stroke cases for this Hajj season are negligible, May Allah be praised.
Dr. Al-Mazrou pointed out that inaugurating the new hospitals and health centers contributed effectively to treating the pilgrims; thus, some of the injured pilgrims underwent open-heart surgeries and catheterization; and dialysis. Hence, 15-20 dialysis machines were provided to handle the cases requiring dialysis. In addition, gastrointestinal endoscopies and bronchial binoculars were used; 33 devices were used.
Concerning the pilgrims who have frequently taken medicines, Dr. Al-Mazrou said, “We have a plan according to which an E-reader is to be introduced to prevent having the medicines redeemed several times for the same patient. Consequently, this is to put an end to this phenomenon, which has been detected during the past years.” He also mentioned that this plan determines accordingly the regular pilgrims by giving them (a specific bracelet) to receive the treatment according to harmonious system. And he added that all the pilgrims are to receive the treatment “no pilgrims cannot be treated for their being irregular ones.”
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Mazrou pointed out that meningitis vaccines were provided at all the land, air, and sea ports, for all the pilgrims who do not hold health cards; in order to guarantee their safety and others' safety while performing the Hajj rituals. In addition, he referred that the surplus of these vaccines are recalled to the relevant companies, which work with the Ministry of Health in line with the partnership principles. And the same case corresponds to the expired medicines, which are very low rates in line with the global rates; previously, RS 124 million worth of swine flu-related medicines were recalled.