The Unified Hajj Media Operations Center at the Ministry of Media held today its second press briefing for the 1447H Hajj season, with the participation of the Security Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub; the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz bin Hassan Abdulbaqi; and the Official Spokesperson for the Hajj Transport and Logistics System, Abdulaziz bin Ayed Al-Otaibi.
The briefing began with Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub, who confirmed the completion of pilgrims’ arrivals through the Kingdom’s air, land, and sea entry points. He noted that pilgrims from 10 countries benefited from the Makkah Route Initiative through 17 international departure points.
He stated that the first phase of the Hajj Security Plan had been successfully implemented with seamless coordination among all government and service entities. Pilgrims have completed their movement to Mina with smooth traffic flow to observe the Day of Tarwiyah and spend the night there before proceeding to Arafat on the morning of Dhul Hijjah 9.
He added that field preparations are ongoing to transport pilgrims traveling directly from Makkah to Arafat today, while security forces continue implementing plans for the remaining Hajj rituals, including the movement to Arafat, departure to Muzdalifah, return for Tawaf Al-Ifadah, stoning Jamarat Al-Aqabah, and staying in Mina until the end of the Days of Tashreeq. Crowd management plans are also being implemented at the Grand Mosque, Jamarat Facility, and Mashaer Train stations.
He noted that, under the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, authorities have so far apprehended 231 transporters of unauthorized pilgrims and identified 246 fake Hajj campaigns, with legal penalties enforced against violators. Field security indicators also showed a decline in violations of Hajj regulations this year, thanks to the professionalism of security personnel and the use of advanced AI-supported technologies to secure all routes leading to Makkah.
He expressed appreciation to citizens, residents, and visitors for complying with the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, affirming that Hajj Security Forces will continue enforcing Hajj regulations at all entry points to Makkah and the holy sites while taking firm action against violators. He also urged pilgrims to follow official instructions during movement to Arafat and the Jamarat Facility.
The Ministry of Health’s Official Spokesperson, Abdulaziz bin Hassan Abdulbaqi, then highlighted the significant efforts and resources dedicated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to safeguarding pilgrims’ health and safety. He noted that the health system continues implementing its operational and preventive plans for Hajj 1447H at the highest level of readiness within an integrated national framework that enables pilgrims to perform their rituals safely and with ease.
He confirmed that, as of the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah, the overall health status of pilgrims remains stable and reassuring, with no outbreaks or significant epidemics reported, thanks to proactive preventive measures, strong coordination among relevant entities, and the high preparedness of healthcare facilities and medical professionals across the holy sites.
He added that this year’s efforts have focused on promoting the concept of “Health Capability,” through health requirements and preventive awareness programs designed to protect pilgrims and reduce health risks.
Up to the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah, the health system had delivered more than 1.095 million healthcare services, including over 292,000 preventive services. Emergency departments received 28,817 patients, while 41,178 pilgrims benefited from primary healthcare centers and urgent care services. Outpatient clinics also served 4,379 patients.
Emergency medical teams responded to more than 76,000 emergency cases, while hospitals admitted over 4,000 patients. The 937 Contact Center handled nearly 120,000 calls and health inquiries, in addition to performing 222 cardiac catheterization procedures, 13 open-heart surgeries, and more than 318 surgical operations within the integrated healthcare system serving pilgrims.
Health teams also treated 28 cases of heat exhaustion among pilgrims according to approved medical protocols. All patients have fully recovered, praise be to Allah, and have resumed completing their Hajj rituals in good health.
Abdulbaqi explained that preventive efforts, in cooperation with relevant entities, included measures to reduce heat stress by expanding shaded areas, increasing water distribution points and coolers, deploying mist fans, and expanding greening projects to improve the environment surrounding pilgrims.
He added that the health system continues providing innovative healthcare services during Hajj, including the use of drones to deliver medicines and medical supplies to hospitals in the holy sites, reducing delivery time from approximately 90 minutes to just five minutes, in coordination with transport sector partners.