Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, announced that health institutions have succeeded in providing all necessary services during Hajj 2024, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In collaboration with Hajj Security Forces, Saudi Health Ministry concluded Hajj 2024 with no recorded outbreaks of epidemics or diseases.

The Minister explained that medical teams conducted over 465,000 specialized treatment services, including 141,000 services to those who didn’t obtain official Hajj permits.

Al-Jalajel indicated that they exerted strenuous efforts to combat scorching temperatures in the holy sites to protect the health of the guests of Allah and provided them with all tips and services to alleviate the effects of heat stress.

Heat Stress Cases

In this context, Al-Jalajel reassured the overall health condition of the pilgrims due to the swift response and support of the Hajj security forces.

The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some pilgrims still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301, with 83% being unauthorized to perform Hajj and having walked long distances under direct sunlight without adequate comfort. The deaths include several elderly and those with chronic diseases.

Al-Jalajel clearly explained that the Saudi authorities have launched large campaigns to spread awareness concerning the dangers of heat stress and advised pilgrims to kindly adhere to the preventive measures taken to ensure their safety while performing their rituals.

Furthermore, Al-Jalajel expressed his sincere condolences to pilgrims’ families and relatives, stressing that all dead pilgrims have been identified and the authorities have already notified their families.

The process of informing the families was not easy due to the fact that most of those pilgrims did not have their personally identifiable information.

However, the Saudi authorities managed to identify and bury all pilgrims and provided their families with death certificates.

Medical Services in Hajj 2024

Al-Jalajel reviewed the medical services offered to the pilgrims, highlighting that they offered free health services even before their arrival to the Kingdom, which included:

• 1.3 million preventive services including early detection, vaccinations, and medical care upon arrival
• Open-heart surgeries
• Cardiac catheterization
• Dialysis sessions
• Emergency care, with more than 30,000 ambulance services and 95 air ambulance operations
• 6,500 fully equipped beds and rooms in the holy sites

Sunstroke Center for Hajj 2024

The Health Affairs of the Ministry of National Guard fully prepared various medical clinics and a center to attend to cases of heat stress and sunstroke in both Mina and Arafat during Hajj 2024.

The clinics consisted of more than 250 employees and health practitioners, including approximately 50 doctors in various specialties including intensive care, cardiology, emergency, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, family and community medicine, and infection control.

The Executive Director of Operations at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in the Western Sector, Dr. Jabr Al-Subaie, clarified the health preparations in both Mina and Arafat as follows:

Mina

• 5 clinics for men, women and respiratory diseases
• 26 hospital beds with special intensive care beds
• Isolated rooms for infectious diseases
• One room for minor operations
• One dental clinic
• Pharmacy, laboratory and radiology services

Arafat

Health Affairs collaborated with the Heat Stress and Sunstroke Center in Arafat to provide the following services:

• 20 fully equipped beds for cases of heat stress and sunstroke, characterized by an air distribution system and water spray, through sprinklers covering all parts of the body
• Clinics for men and women
• One external pharmacy

Virtual Medical Consultations

The Saudi Ministry of Health enabled pilgrims to get instant virtual medical consultation services during Hajj 2024.

The consultations were available 24/7 through the following platforms:

• “Sehhaty” Application
• “X” Platform
• Calls via the unified number 937

The ministry has designed the virtual services to provide the pilgrims with the necessary medical assistance at any time and any locations to ensure the safety and health of pilgrims while performing their rituals.

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National Guard Health Prepares Medical Clinics, Sunstroke Center for Hajj 2024