A number of Saudi female nutrition specialists, who are mandated from several regions to work at hospitals of the Holy Sites, have expressed their deep joy for participating in the pilgrims’ service. These specialists have received training courses to assume various tasks, including supervising all stages of food preparation for inpatient pilgrims at the Holy Sites’ hospitals.
A nutrition specialist, Arwa Abdul-Rahman, who came from hail to participate in this year's Hajj season, said: “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Highness the Crown Prince, May Allah protect them, and MOH’s officials for giving us the opportunity to serve pilgrims.”
About her experience in this year’s Hajj season, she said: “It has been a more than wonderful experience, as it combined the beauty of feeling and the indescribable honor of participation, being the supervisor of the safety and quality of food provided at the hospital, in line with the highest conditions and specifications required in quality.” She added: “I pray for Almighty Allah to keep us for serving pilgrims, and to weigh it in the balance of our righteous deeds”.
Another nutrition specialist, Abeer Hamed Al-Halis, who came from Taif to participate in this year's Hajj season, shared us her experience, saying: “All praise is due to Allah, I have been able to work in the pilgrims’ service since 1432H. So, we work and do our best to provide the best health and nutritional services to pilgrims, to meet the aspirations and directions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, May Allah protect them.” She added: “Our duty in the Hajj season is to follow up all stages of work related to nutrition, for ensuring the highest international standards in food safety and quality to provide a healthy meal to pilgrims according to their health condition.”
It is noted that, during this year’s Hajj season, MOH’s Nutrition Committee provides more than 30 types of diet for sick pilgrims, according to their health status, and diets prescribed for them by specialist physicians, through cooked meals and nutritional preparations that are followed up by clinical nutritionists at ICU and inpatient departments.
The committee supervises the nutrition progress at the holy sites’ hospitals; It has equipped 11 nutrition departments in Mina and Arafat, in addition to 20 dining halls supervised by 85 food and nutrition specialists. These department and halls have been enhanced with about 540 workers, who have been trained on best practices, health requirements, and proper food preparation methods.