The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched the HealthThon 4 initiative as part of its efforts to foster innovation across the healthcare sector and engage public and private sector partners in identifying the challenges facing the Guests of Allah. The initiative aims to support the design and development of innovative, sustainable healthcare products and services that enhance the beneficiary experience and improve the quality of healthcare services, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
Organized as a hackathon, the initiative seeks to enable the Hajj healthcare ecosystem to analyze field challenges more effectively through integrated collaboration among participating entities. This approach supports the development of practical solutions that enhance healthcare response efficiency, particularly in high-density environments, and improve the quality of services provided in the central areas of the Two Holy Mosques.
The initiative is built on collaborative partnerships among several healthcare, academic, and regulatory entities. Makkah Health Cluster serves as the principal implementation partner, leveraging its operational role in managing healthcare services across the Holy Sites and central areas, as well as its field expertise in identifying priority challenges and linking them to practical solutions. The Public Health Authority (
Weqaya) contributes by strengthening preventive health and public health methodologies, while the
Saudi Red Crescent Authority provides expertise in emergency medical response and emergency case management. The
General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque supports crowd management efforts within the central areas.
On the academic and technical front,
Umm Al-Qura University provides the initiative’s innovation and research environment, while Makkah Tech Valley supports the development of innovative solutions and accelerates the transformation of ideas into practical, implementable prototypes.
The initiative is open to all interested participants and will be held at
Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah from May 6 to May 19, 2026. Registration will remain open until May 14, 2026.
The initiative is part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to foster a culture of innovation and develop sustainable healthcare solutions, contributing to enhanced healthcare services for pilgrims and improving their overall experience.