The Ministry of Health (MOH) has activated means of communication (Sign Language) for hearing-impaired people at hospitals and healthcare centers (HCCs) in the Holy Sites. This comes as part of MOH’s services to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, and within the framework of its existing steps to develop and improve its health and therapeutic services. MOH has organized several training courses for medical staff and health practitioners on sign language; to train them on its basics to deal directly with hearing-impaired outpatients.
These courses came within the framework of the community partnership approved by MOH for this year, during which the health practitioner can deal and communicate with the most valuable community group (the deaf and dumb) at hospitals or HCCs, in addition to training on the use of the “Mowa’ma” App. for video communication with certified translators; to provide simultaneous interpretation. Hence, translators have already been provided in the reception of the holy sites’ hospitals.
It is noted that sign language is the mother tongue of hearing-impaired people; who use this non-voice means to communicate with the community through the movements of hands, fingers, gestures, and body to express their thoughts, feelings, psychological, social, and health needs.