Health officials said medical staff will be on hand at all airports, seaports and medical centers to treat Umrah performers arriving during Ramadan in order to stem the spread of infectious diseases. The Health Ministry and the Jeddah Health Affairs Management will be working together, said Dr. Sami Badawood, Director of the Health Affairs Management in Jeddah. “This Ramadan will be different than previous years. Since Ramadan coincides with the summer vacation we expect a large number of visitors to perform Umrah,” Badawood said. “This year we are being extra careful. Umrah performers who were not healthy caused a lot of suffering with transmittable diseases. This is why we are providing medical check-ups for people coming for Umrah,” he said. Every airport in the western region will be equipped with medical teams; each with a doctor, three nurses and an emergency vehicle. “The King Abdul Aziz Airport is working with the government and private sector to ensure the safety of Umrah performers with well-prepared small clinics and medical staff,” said Khalid Bin Abdullah Mulhim, director of security at the King Abdul Aziz Airport. In addtion to the medical teams at Kingdom entry points medical services are also being increased, said Khaled Marghalani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. “Up to seven hospitals and 39 health centers will be ready to receive the huge number of visitors to Makkah during Ramadan.” Blood donation groups will be on standby and an additional fleet of 25 ambulances and 30 cars will be available for Makkah's visitors during the 30 days of Ramadan, Badawood said. __
