MINA — The general health status of the pilgrims during Hajj 2023 is reassuring and there are no outbreaks or diseases that threaten public health recorded among them, the spokesman of the Ministry of Health Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdali confirmed. Dr. Al-Abdali made the remarks during a joint first press conference of this year's Hajj season, as he indicated that the plans that were set by the Ministry of Health are going completely correctly during this season. The number of health cadres during the Hajj season this year exceeded 32,000, as it, along with the entire health system, provided services to pilgrims from the first moment of their arrival to Saudi Arabia through 14 ports, whether sea, air or land. Dr. Al-Abdali said that the health services' network provided to pilgrims extends through 140 health centers, in addition to 32 hospitals, of which, there are 3 are field hospitals. He added that these hospitals operate with a capacity of 6,132 beds, including 761 beds for intensive care, and 222 beds for dealing with heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The health system also includes several first aid and medical centers and points extended in places that serve pilgrims during their presence in the Holy Sites, Dr. Al-Abdali said. He noted that the services are transmitted according to the movements of the pilgrims. He also added that there are 190 medical vehicles providing their services and 16 points and an emergency medical center in the Jamarat facility in Mina. As for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SCRA), it also provides thousands of services, and they provide emergency services whenever they need them. They provide services through the highest technologies, including an ambulance fleet of 247 ambulances, air ambulances and advanced vehicles. The health spokesperson said that the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) provides important services and monitors the epidemiological situation. It has rapid intervention units, as well as mobile units to monitor, follow up and conduct any advanced tests. With regard to food and medicine during the Hajj period, the spokesperson indicated that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) also provides a range of services, such as inspection of food, medicine and equipment at the ports. SFDA also provided many awareness tours that contributed to raising the necessary safety levels for those who provide and deal with food, as they conducted nearly 3,000 inspection tours in addition to many activities. SFDA inspects and controls medicines in accordance with the requirements, specifications and standards, and is careful to ensure that none of the medicines contain any warnings, risks or complications. The total health services that have been provided to pilgrims so far have reached more than 31,000, and among them there are pilgrims who are hospitalized in health facilities. Dr. Al-Abdali indicated that some cases required surgical intervention, such as open-heart surgeries, with 23 surgeries being recorded so far during the Hajj season. This is in addition to 168 cardiac catheterizations, and several operations exceeding 460 of dialysis, as well as the services provided by the virtual hospital to about 900 pilgrims. He also called on the pilgrims to adhere to preventive precautions to ensure their health, to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, to carry umbrellas, to drink water, and to rest as much as possible. Pilgrims who need any health assistance or inquiries can contact the center through the number 937, which operates around the clock and in multiple languages. From his side, Talal Al-Shalhoub, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, has stated that the implementation of the first phase of the plan to transport the pilgrims from Makkah to Mina has been completed on the day of Tarwiyah so the pilgrims spend the night there, in preparation for going to Arafat on Tuesday. Al-Shalhoub said that Saudi Arabia is teaching the world crowd management, noting that pilgrims are a red line and the Kingdom will not accept any danger occurring to them. He also indicated that they directly monitor any transgressions or violations from the Hajj campaigns, in order to ensure that they do not affect the general safety of the pilgrims. The pilgrimage forces are continuing to carry out their tasks in following up on that the domestic pilgrims have obtained the necessary permits for the Hajj at all the entrances leading to Makkah and the roads and passages leading to the Grand Mosque, Al-Shalhoub said. He indicated that a tight security cordon will be imposed around the Holy Sites until the end of the Hajj season. Al-Shalhoub confirmed that a number of transporters violating Hajj instructions were arrested at the entrances of Makkah due to their attempt to transport violators of the Hajj regulations and entering without a permit. Penalties will be applied against violators, even the people who transported them. Violators will be punished with a fine of SR50,000 and imprisonment for a period of 6 months. The vehicle will also be confiscated, in addition to defamation of the violators. From his side at the same conference, the Undersecretary for Hajj Affairs Ayed Al-Ghuwainem said that serving the pilgrims is a top priority and a long historical commitment that the Saudi leadership is proud of. The percentage of pilgrims who arrived to Mina reached 65%, and the remaining 35% will be transported, according to their request, to Arafat's Mount of Mercy (Jabal Al-Rahma) directly. He indicated, in partnership with the National Center for Environmental Compliance, the environmental conditions and air quality are being monitored. He added that reports indicate that air quality is good and was measured 20 days ago through 10 centers in Makkah and the Holy Sites.
