The MOH Spokesman, Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Merghalani, reassured citizens and residents that the epidemiological reports have shown that the Umrah pilgrims' overall health condition is very good, and that no epidemiological cases have been reported.
He mentioned that the MOH health facilities in Makkah have provided health services for over 16.000 Umrah pilgrims over the period from 1 to 20 Ramadan.
The number of emergency cases received by Makkah's hospitals and health centers is 15.773, out of whom 2035 cases were received by King Abdulaziz Hospital, 6801 cases received by King Faisal Hospital, 1310 cases received by Ajyad Emergency Hospital, 2267 cases received by Al-Nour Specialist Hospital, 605 cases received by the Maternity and Children Hospital, and 70 cases received by Heraa General Hospital.
Whereas the number of emergency cases received by the five health centers based inside Makkah Grand Mosque (Haram) is 2685 cases.
Dr. Merghalani went on to say, over the past period, only one case was reported to have a sun stroke, and three cases suffered from heath exhaustion, thanks be to Allah.
He mentioned, also, that the number of patients hospitalized at Makkah's hospitals is 535 cases, out of whom 390 cases left the hospital after taking the proper medication, and 182 cases are still going through their treatment phases.
According to Dr. Merghalani, the Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by Makkah Health Affairs General Directorate, under Dr. Al-Rabeeah's supervision, has been carrying out an integrated plan meant to provide healthcare for Umrah pilgrims since the outset of this Ramadan.
It has been harnessing its entire human and material capabilities for serving pilgrims around the clock.
This could be achieved by providing highly qualified medical teams, and state-of-the-art medical equipment, at the City's seven hospitals, in addition to King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), and the primary healthcare centers, aside from the five health centers located inside the Grand Mosque (Haram) – namely: Ajyad Lower Gate Health Center, Ajyad Upper Gate Health Center, Gate 94 Health Center (next to King Abdulaziz Gate), Al-Fath Gate Medical City, and Jesr Al-Nadwa Gate Health Center.
All these centers have been well equipped for the service of Umrah pilgrims.
In a related development, the MOH Media Information and Health Awareness Center has provided a set of medical tips for Umrah pilgrims, such as advising patients with chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, etc.) to obtain sufficient quantity of medicines, and keep away the direct disposal to sunlight, by using umbrellas, to avoid heat exhaustion.
That's to be added to hygiene, and avoiding congested places, which could be a good environment for infection transmission. The center called upon all Umrah pilgrims to head for the nearest health center on when feeling fatigue during the performance of Umrah rituals.