Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj infrastructure, honors security forces

Arab News

2 days ago

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has opened a field hospital in Arafat, which is operated by the ministry's General Administration of Medical Services.
The 100-bed facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by specialized teams to deliver rapid emergency care for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdulaziz has also launched a smart health bracelet system for security personnel, enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs and giving automatic alerts to command centers to enhance medical readiness.
The minister also attended a ceremony honoring Hajj Security Forces and was briefed on operational readiness during field exercises featuring specialized vehicles, aviation units, and crowd control systems.
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, said the Saudi leadership had mobilized all resources to ensure the safety of pilgrims, noting strong coordination had led to outstanding results.
The minister also reviewed infrastructure upgrades at the holy sites, including phase two of the Mashaer pathway which boasts eco-friendly rubber flooring to ease movement and reduce heat.
He inspected new shading and cooling systems at Namirah Mosque designed to improve comfort during prayers.
His tour concluded at Mina's new emergency hospital, which has expanded urgent care capacity, with its services meeting global standards.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Hajj Media Operations Center with Salman Al-Dossary, the minister of media, and received briefings on unified media coverage. He viewed the Hajj media hub's Hajj Window and Transformation Exhibition, which showcases the services of 11 public and private entities.