MAKKAH — Assistant Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdal Ali reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia is giving top priority for human security during the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. "The Kingdom has made great efforts to provide the best possible and top quality health services together with the support of the highly advanced technologies for the pilgrims. This is with the utmost attention and close follow-up of the wise leadership," he said, while addressing the grand Hajj symposium on the topic of "Human security in the Hajj." Dr. Al-Abdal Ali said that more than 25,000 medical personnel have been mobilized to serve the Hajj pilgrims this year. A total of 23 hospitals and 147 health centers have been readied for the pilgrims. This is in addition to 16 emergency centers on the Jamarat Bridge, apart from arranging monitoring and control centers. The symposium was moderated by Eng. Muhammad Ismail, CEO of the Program for Serving the Guests of God. In his speech, Ismail noted the availability of specialized hospitals and medical centers to offer the best medical services for the pilgrims. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring food and drug safety for the pilgrims. While addressing the symposium, Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), drew attention to the authority's efforts to preserve the safety of food provided to pilgrims by formulating regulations, and field follow-up of the transportation of foodstuffs until they reach the Holy Sites in the proper manner. He lauded the launching of the awareness guides by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in several languages to enhance the awareness of pilgrims. In her speech, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, assistant director general of the Antimicrobial Resistance Division (AMR) at the World Health Organization, described Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner for WHO. She praised the bold decisions taken by the Kingdom in light of the coronavirus pandemic to protect pilgrims and preserve their safety to limit the spread of coronavirus. The Kingdom's precautionary measures and preventive protocols were better than any other country, due to its cumulative experiences in crowd management through the annual Hajj operation. It is noteworthy that the grand Hajj symposium is one of the most prominent scientific events, being hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah annually. The symposium was launched in the year 1390 AH corresponding to 1970, with the aim of emphasizing the Kingdom's regional and international role as a religious and cultural beacon. This is in view of the Kingdom's lofty position with the presence of the Two Holy Mosques and the service to Hajj and Umrah and pilgrims as well as its pivotal role in consolidating interfaith dialogue and fraternity among various schools of thought on solid scientific foundations. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah inaugurated this year's grand Hajj symposium titled "Hajj after the pandemic: the ritual and care" on Sunday. In his speech, Al-Rabiah stated that the annual pilgrimage of Hajj disseminates a sublime message of peace, security and tranquility from Makkah to the entire world. Assistant Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdal Ali reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia is giving top priority for human security during the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. "The Kingdom has made great efforts to provide the best possible and top quality health services together with the support of the highly advanced technologies for the pilgrims. This is with the utmost attention and close follow-up of the wise leadership," he said, while addressing the grand Hajj symposium on the topic of "Human security in the Hajj." Dr. Al-Abdal Ali said that more than 25,000 medical personnel have been mobilized to serve the Hajj pilgrims this year. A total of 23 hospitals and 147 health centers have been readied for the pilgrims. This is in addition to 16 emergency centers on the Jamarat Bridge, apart from arranging monitoring and control centers. The symposium was moderated by Eng. Muhammad Ismail, CEO of the Program for Serving the Guests of God. In his speech, Ismail noted the availability of specialized hospitals and medical centers to offer the best medical services for the pilgrims. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring food and drug safety for the pilgrims. While addressing the symposium, Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), drew attention to the authority's efforts to preserve the safety of food provided to pilgrims by formulating regulations, and field follow-up of the transportation of foodstuffs until they reach the Holy Sites in the proper manner. He lauded the launching of the awareness guides by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in several languages to enhance the awareness of pilgrims. In her speech, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, assistant director general of the Antimicrobial Resistance Division (AMR) at the World Health Organization, described Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner for WHO. She praised the bold decisions taken by the Kingdom in light of the coronavirus pandemic to protect pilgrims and preserve their safety to limit the spread of coronavirus. The Kingdom's precautionary measures and preventive protocols were better than any other country, due to its cumulative experiences in crowd management through the annual Hajj operation. It is noteworthy that the grand Hajj symposium is one of the most prominent scientific events, being hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah annually. The symposium was launched in the year 1390 AH corresponding to 1970, with the aim of emphasizing the Kingdom's regional and international role as a religious and cultural beacon. This is in view of the Kingdom's lofty position with the presence of the Two Holy Mosques and the service to Hajj and Umrah and pilgrims as well as its pivotal role in consolidating interfaith dialogue and fraternity among various schools of thought on solid scientific foundations. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah inaugurated this year's grand Hajj symposium titled "Hajj after the pandemic: the ritual and care" on Sunday. In his speech, Al-Rabiah stated that the annual pilgrimage of Hajj disseminates a sublime message of peace, security and tranquility from Makkah to the entire world.
