A history of care culminating in digital transformation
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great and continuous importance on developing the services provided to pilgrims, a continuation of its long history of care and attention to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. With the comprehensive digital transformation the country is undergoing as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, specifically through the "Guests of God Service Program," the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence has become a fundamental pillar for ensuring the safety and security of the millions of pilgrims who flock to the Holy Land annually.
Active participation in the Health and Security Forum
In this context, King Abdulaziz University made a notable and distinguished appearance at the exhibition accompanying the “Health and Security in Hajj Forum,” which was held in Jeddah. The university showcased a range of health and technological projects and innovations that reflect the Kingdom’s strategic direction towards integrating artificial intelligence and digital technologies in developing healthcare and psychological services provided to the community and pilgrims.
Therapescape Capsule: A Revolution in Digital Psychotherapy
The Therascape Capsule project has emerged as a leading modern therapeutic solution. Dr. Lujain Saud Sharif, Associate Professor of Psychiatric Nursing at the university, explained that this project represents an advanced convergence of modern technology and psychotherapeutic methods. The capsule integrates the three senses (hearing, sight, and smell) within a secure digital environment under the supervision of specialists. This helps patients overcome psychological trauma and replace painful memories with positive, conscious experiences, opening new horizons in the field of psychiatric nursing and enhancing quality of life.
“Haji” app for real-time crowd health monitoring
In addition to providing psychological support, the university introduced the "Hajji" application, a sophisticated smart system based on artificial intelligence technologies linked to precise medical sensors. The application aims to provide real-time monitoring of the health status of pilgrims, enabling medical teams to intervene quickly and proactively in emergencies. This innovation positively impacts the reduction of health risks during the Hajj season, which witnesses massive human gatherings that are among the largest and most complex in the world.
“Sign2Sense” project to integrate special needs groups
Saudi innovations have not overlooked the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, as demonstrated by the "Sign2Sense" project. This system uses artificial intelligence to instantly translate Saudi Sign Language, creating a two-way communication channel between healthcare professionals and beneficiaries, and facilitating their access to psychological and medical care efficiently and without obstacles.
Regional and international impact and research efforts
These innovations are of paramount importance not only locally, but also regionally and internationally, as crowd health management during Hajj serves as a global model in "mass medicine." In this regard, Thamer Al-Harbi noted that the university's Health Promotion Center has surpassed 1.6 million beneficiaries of its services. The King Fahd Medical Research Center also plays a prominent role in monitoring infectious diseases, molecular diagnostics, and emergency preparedness, thus enhancing global health security.
The university's pavilion was visited by the Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, who was briefed on these innovative solutions. These achievements underscore the Kingdom's progress in presenting a unique global model that blends humanitarian care with technological advancement to serve pilgrims to the Holy Mosque, thus achieving ideal integration between the academic, health, and technological sectors.
