In continuation of the mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and as part of the MOH’s efforts in early preparation for this year Hajj Season to activate the duties and responsibilities of the health surveillance centers at the Kingdom’s land, air and sea ports, an ad hoc committee has conducted an inspection visit to assess the basic capabilities at each of Halat Ammar border crossing point in Tabuk, Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP), King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (PMBAIA) in Madinah. The committee, composed of specialists from the MOH’s Public Health Agency, Communicable Diseases Control General Department, Port Health Surveillance Department, public health consultants and a WHO expert in health surveillance at points of entry, conducted this visit; with a view to complete the development of capacities of health surveillance centers at the Kingdom’s ports, especially in the areas of Hajj and Umrah.
During the visit, the committee had a closer look on the preparations and follow-up of work progress at the ports for receiving pilgrims this year, the assessment of the basic capabilities, in addition to meeting with workers at the ports and reviewing the periodic and emergency plans there. The visit also included a meeting with the authorities relevant to the points of entry, developing guidelines and instructions for the development of work, identifying challenges, and drawing up proposed solutions, as well as developing mechanisms to maintain the outstanding performance in the health surveillance centers at the Kingdom’s ports (totaling 16 centers).