Assistant Minister of Health: 52,000 health practitioners and 25 new centers to serve pilgrims
During the session on "Sustaining Excellence in Health and Security Services during Hajj," Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdali, revealed a package of qualitative expansions and modern technologies that the Kingdom has harnessed to serve pilgrims this year, stressing that all Potential It was designed to ensure a rapid response and improve the quality of healthcare in the holy sites.
Al-Abdali explained that more than 52,000 healthcare practitioners and providers will participate this Hajj season in providing medical services to pilgrims, within an integrated system operating around the clock. He noted that the Ministry of Health has enhanced its operational capabilities this year by adding 25 healthcare and pharmacy centers, in addition to expanding the number of services and specialized medical fields.
He pointed out that the healthcare system has witnessed significant leaps in the level of medical equipment in recent years, including the expansion of critical care and intensive care services, as well as doubling the number of beds and specialized services provided to pilgrims, with the participation of several entities including the security forces, the Ministry of National Guard, the Ministry of Defense, the private sector, and health clusters.
He emphasized that Hajj services are no longer limited to health centers and urgent care only, but also include an advanced system of specialized services within medical facilities, such as catheterization services, advanced medical laboratories, and mobile ambulance services, in addition to introducing robotic surgery technologies and using modern digital solutions in the provision of healthcare.
He added that the medical supply system has also witnessed significant development, including the rapid and safe transport of medical samples, blood, and supplies, in partnership with several specialized entities. This ensures the continuity of medical services and enhances the efficiency of emergency response.
Al-Abdali spoke about the expansion of field healthcare routes in the Holy Sites, emphasizing that medical teams and healthcare personnel are deployed across vital locations to directly serve pilgrims. They are supported by a fully equipped ambulance fleet on the ground, in addition to air ambulance services operating at various locations, which contributes to expediting medical evacuations and the transfer of critical cases.
He explained that the system also includes cooling points and field support centers working in coordination with various government agencies, including the Holy Capital Municipality, to provide health, preventive, and awareness services to pilgrims, as part of integrated efforts across all sectors.
The Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services stressed that all these resources and equipment have been utilized according to the highest international standards to serve the pilgrims. He noted that the primary objective is to be fully prepared to deal with any emergency as quickly as possible, from immediate intervention to providing advanced specialized care.
Al-Abdali concluded his speech by emphasizing that the leadership has harnessed all human and technical capabilities to serve the pilgrims, through an integrated health and security system that works in high harmony, in order to ensure the safety of the guests of God and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
