His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah said the pilgrims had a safe tarwyah day and the general health condition of pilgrims is assuring with no epidemic infections reported.
In a press briefing during inspection visits the minister paid to the government health centers taking part in the pilgrimage season on Wednesday, 8th Dhul-Hijja 1433H, he said there was a full-fledged cooperation between the government health sector in the holy places, as it operates under an integrated system to serve the beloved homeland and pilgrims.
The Minister said the splendid health service is jointly provided by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior, the National Guard, the Saudi Red Crescent and Ministry of Health. He said such bodies function under a coherent system and the leaders thereof and preparatory committees meet regularly thereby reflecting the bright picture of the Kingdom's advanced health sector.
“About 30 open heart surgeries and 194 interventional catheterizations were conducted for pilgrims, free of charge on the past days,” said the Minister adding “These, and other advanced services are offered under the directives of His Highness the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, free of charge to pilgrims every year.”
His Excellency the Minister paid inspection visits to health service centers at the armed forces, the health affairs department of the National Guard and the internal security hospital, and reviewed the entire process and services provided to pilgrims.
He inspected the readiness of medical equipments and manpower taking part in the service at the armed forces, the health affairs center of the National Guard and the internal security hospital.
The minister inspected the security forces health center in the holy capital affiliated to the General Directorate of Health Services of Ministry of the Interior. He was received by the director of the General Directorate of Health Services of the Ministry of Interior, the supervisor of the pilgrimage mission Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdullah bin Muammar and the head of the health program at the security forces hospital and the assistant supervisor general of the pilgrimage mission Dr. Sulaiman Al-Suhaimy and heads of Hajj committees.
The Minister was accompanied by HE Deputy Health Minister for Health Affairs Dr. Mansour Al-Howasi, Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development and the head of hajj preparatory committees Dr. Mohamed Khoshaim, as well as the heads of hajj committees at the ministry of health and the director general of the health affairs of Mecca Dr. Khaled Dhafar.