Thousands of pilgrims have arrived in Madina to pay homage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after completing their five-day Haj rituals in Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The Ministry of Haj and all other concerned public and private organizations have completed preparations to receive pilgrims and provide them with necessary services. More than 800,000 pilgrims visited Madina before the Haj. Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Bijawi, the ministry's director in Madina, said the reception and departure centers for air, sea and land pilgrims, the surveillance and follow-up committees, the operations center, the Private Establishment of Guides and the General Syndicate of Cars are all ready to receive the guests of God and bid them farewell on their departure back home. He said the ministry and other government and private organizations are all geared up to serve the guests of God during their stay in Madina. Director of Health Affairs in Madina Dr. Khaled Bin Abdul Aziz Yasin said his department would extend medical services to the visitors through a number of general hospitals and permanent and seasonal health centers set up along the roads leading into and out of the holy city. Yasin said the focus of the department's Haj health plan was on curative services through permanent and seasonal health centers in the central area around the Prophet's Mosque, in accommodations and along entry and exit points of the city. The department is also focused on providing first aid services for emergency cases; preventive care; ensuring the safety of accommodation, food and drinks; and monitoring epidemics and dealing with them. “Apart from general hospitals working around the clock, there are more than 10 seasonal health centers around the Prophet's Mosque operating for more than 16 hours a day,” he added.
