In compliance with the directions given by the Minister of Interior, the Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, underscoring the importance of the integration and consolidation of the efforts of all health sectors participating in the Hajj season, in an endeavor to provide high-quality health services for pilgrims, and maintain their health and safety, the representatives of the health sectors participating in Hajj convened today under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, at his office.
The meeting reiterated the necessity of the consolidation of efforts in a way that ensures the provision of distinguished health services for pilgrims, placing particular emphasis on the importance of the unification of information, by designating a coordinator at each health sector to be in direct contact with the MOH Information Center. All health sectors should participate with high-profile experienced competencies in such serious and accurate specialties as intensive care, cardiology and endoscopy.
Participants in the meeting agreed that it is of crucial importance to find effective ways to evacuate pilgrims from congested places, and prepare an appropriate plan of the evacuation of patients, as well as linking all information and statistics to the MOH Command and Control Room.
Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Rabeeah made an announcement in which he pointed out that the preparations for each Hajj season begins with the end with the previous one. Speaking of this Hajj season, about 10.000 beds have been prepared, and about 22.000 employees, from the various health sectors, have been assigned to take part in serving the guests of Allah (pilgrims).
He said, “The Ministry of Health has harnessed its potentials and capabilities for serving pilgrims, through the Ministry's health facilities: 25 hospitals (four hospitals at Mount Arafat, four hospitals in Mina, seven hospitals at the Holy City of Makkah, nine hospitals in Madinah, in addition to King Abdullah Medical City). The number of clinical beds at the hospitals based in Hajj Sites is about 5250 beds (4200 hospitalization beds, 500 intensive care beds, and 550 emergency beds), in addition to 141 health centers (permanent and seasonal) at the Hajj Sites (43 health centers at the Holy City of Makkah, 80 health centers at the Holy Places: 46 centers at Mount Arafat, 6 centers overlooking the Muzdalifah Trail, and 28 centers in Mina), in addition to 12 health centers in Madinah.”