3,000 hospital beds readied for Hajj

Jeddah, NU Online
A number of hospitals, health centers and clinics will be serving the pilgrims during this Haj season with more than 3,000 beds, according to Makkah Health Affairs Director Dr. Khaled bin Obaid Zafar.

“This year's health plan for Haj consists of preventive, curative and emergency services to the guests of God at all air, land and sea inlets. Medical examinations and tests will be conducted on pilgrims at these entry points. Vaccinations will be given to those who have not already taken them. Pilgrims who are sick will get necessary treatment and medicines while critical and emergency cases will be transferred to hospitals,” Zafar told Arab News on Monday.<>

Zafar said the Health Ministry has already advised Saudi embassies abroad not to grant Haj visas to aspiring pilgrims unless they meet health requirements.

“Pilgrims with no vaccination certificates will be vaccinated at the entry points,” he added.

Zafar said the reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be followed up. The annual Haj provided a rare opportunity for health officials to observe and study the effects of mass congregation of people from all over the world.

He said the Health Ministry has coordinated with the municipalities to combat causes of contagious diseases.

Zafar said in addition to the general hospitals, there are 31 health centers in Makkah that will be providing health care to pilgrims. He added that there will be five health centers inside the Grand Mosque and five others in the plazas surrounding it in addition to five centers at the car parks along the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway. (dar)