Hussein Hazzazi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Although a large number of staff working for hospitals, Civil Defense and the traffic directorate in the Makkah region will be deployed in the holy sites during the Haj season, local authorities claim this will not have an impact on these facilities' day-to-day operations. A spokesman for the Jeddah Civil Defense reiterated the absence of their workers will not affect their response to emergency cases because they have contingency plans in place to cover the employee shortfall. The Jeddah Health Affairs Directorate approved an operation plan for its hospitals and primary healthcare centers run by the Ministry of Health. Dr. Sami Badawood, director of Jeddah Health Affairs, said the directorate has completed its preparations at all health facilities during the Haj season. Emergency units have been provided with medical cadres and equipment as well as facilities to respond to any emergency cases on the road or at home, he added. Emergency units at hospitals in Jeddah, Rabigh and Laith will continue to work around the clock throughout the month of Dhul Haj, he announced. Primary healthcare centers have been supplied with additional medical equipment and medications to provide services to locals quickly, he said. Badawood added: “No epidemic cases have been reported. “In total, 457,932 pilgrims have been vaccinated against meningitis, 55,396 against yellow fever and 220,100 against polio.” He said anyone with symptoms of certain viruses would be immediately referred to King Saud Hospital near King Abdulaziz International Airport. The spokesman for Jeddah Traffic Administration said all officers and equipment have been mobilized to maintain the smooth flow of traffic all over Jeddah governorate. He also said additional traffic police units will be stationed at the Corniche area and malls in Jeddah to maintain the smooth flow of traffic there during the Eid Al-Adha holidays.
