Saudi health ministry speeds up Hajj meds delivery using drones
MAKKAH: The Health Emergency Operations Centre of the Saudi Ministry of Health has dramatically reduced the time required to deliver medications across Hajj sites from over an hour to just six minutes, thanks to the use of drones.
This innovation marks a significant step forward in improving healthcare logistics and ensuring timely medical support for millions of pilgrims.
Previously, delivering medication to specific Hajj locations could take up to one hour and twenty minutes. By deploying drones this year, the ministry has reduced this time to just six minutes.
'This technological advancement is a game-changer,' said an official during a foreign media visit to the Centre at Mina on Sunday, highlighting how the initiative aligns with the kingdom's commitment to enhancing healthcare services during one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
The Health Emergency Operations Centre functions 24/7 and integrates real-time data from multiple hospitals, clinics, and ambulance services.
All information flows in real time through electronic systems such as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS), allowing healthcare teams to make swift, informed decisions.
'This is an all-digital, fully integrated system,' an official explained.
'Every service provider, from the Ministry of Health to the Red Crescent Authority to private healthcare partners, is linked. Having everyone in the same room at the same time ensures coordinated decision-making and rapid responses.'
As of June 1, the ministry reported that more than 81,000 healthcare services had been delivered to pilgrims since the beginning of the Hajj season for the year 1446 AH.
The Health Emergency Operations Centre also supports public health monitoring, risk assessment, and rapid escalation when needed.
In addition, pilgrims can call the 97 local number for health-related queries, where they will be connected directly to the most suitable service.
The Unified Security Operations Centre (911), which works closely with the ministry, answers calls in under two seconds and relays reports to specialised teams within 45 seconds.
The system can handle calls in nearly all global languages, ensuring that every pilgrim, regardless of nationality, receives the support they need.
As the temperature rises during Hajj, health officials are urging pilgrims to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
'My advice to all pilgrims is: rest when you can, stay out of direct sunlight, use umbrellas, drink plenty of water.. and enjoy your Hajj,' the official said.
This comprehensive and well-coordinated effort, led by the Ministry of Health, aims to ensure pilgrims' access to high-quality medical care, strengthen the readiness of preventive and rapid response systems, and safeguard the health and safety of all pilgrims.
These services are part of the kingdom's broader health vision under the Health Sector Transformation Programme and the Pilgrim Experience Programme – two key initiatives stemming from Saudi Vision 2030.
These initiatives aim to provide exceptional healthcare that ensures the well-being and comfort of pilgrims as they perform their religious duties safely and with ease.
Data released by the Ministry of Health indicates that nearly 49,000 pilgrims have received care at primary healthcare centres, while emergency departments have handled over 19,000 cases.
Outpatient clinics have received nearly 1,000 patients, and more than 3,500 individuals have been admitted to hospitals, including 1,730 to intensive care units.
In addition, the healthcare system has successfully handled 120 cardiac catheterisation procedures and 11 open-heart surgeries.
Meanwhile, field medical teams have responded swiftly and efficiently to 25 cases of heat exhaustion.
The healthcare system continues to operate at full capacity, guided by proactive planning and a fully integrated network of high-quality services.
With the integration of drones, AI-powered decision-making, and 24-hour service, Saudi Arabia's health and security teams are demonstrating a new level of preparedness and inn
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘You don't have to climb Arafat': Saudi tells pilgrims as Haj heat soars past 40°C
MINA (Saudi Arabia), June 3 — Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that 'the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat'. Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for 'the worst case scenario' after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Increased capacity Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, 'heat doesn't bother me'. 'I have been working in the fields since I was a child,' he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. 'As you can see, we're dripping with sweat,' he said, adding: 'The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain.' According to Asiri, of the health ministry, a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. Saudi Arabia reported 44 cases of heat exhaustion during the 2025 Haj pilgrimage so far. — AFP pic 'Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year,' Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. 'That's why we are doing all of these measures,' he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. 'Challenge' To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on 'treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates', said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. 'Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun,' he said. 'You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain,' he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, 'and it's very risky from a health point of view'. Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre (2.5-mile) pathway leading to Arafat. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest ever recorded. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there 'extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) -- it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon'. 'We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character.' — AFP
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Malaysian haj pilgrim suffers heart attack, saved in time, says Saudi Health Ministry
MECCA: A 60-year-old Malaysian pilgrim, Zurina Mat Hussin, was saved by a Saudi Arabian medical team after suffering a severe heart attack during her Hajj journey. According to the Saudi Arabian Health Ministry spokesperson, the pilgrim from Terengganu was swiftly transferred to King Abdullah Medical City in Mecca. "Zurina underwent a life-saving cardiac catheterisation in record time. "Following the successful procedure, Zurina was enrolled in the Kingdom's remote health monitoring program, operated through the Seha Virtual Hospital. "Her condition is being continuously tracked using a smart heart-monitoring device. "After receiving urgent medical care, Zurina safely continues her haj, while Virtual Health continues to monitor her condition remotely. "The case reflects Saudi Arabia's advanced medical capabilities and its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all pilgrims," said the Saudi Health Ministry spokesperson. About 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims are among two million pilgrims performing the Haj this year, which will culminate on June 6 with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations worldwide.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
From 80 minutes to six: Saudi drones slash medicine delivery time at Haj sites
MAKKAH, June 2 — The Health Emergency Operations Centre of the Saudi Ministry of Health has dramatically reduced the time required to deliver medications across Haj sites from over an hour to just six minutes, thanks to the use of drones. This innovation marks a significant step forward in improving healthcare logistics and ensuring timely medical support for millions of pilgrims. Previously, delivering medication to specific Haj locations could take up to one hour and twenty minutes. By deploying drones this year, the ministry has reduced this time to just six minutes. 'This technological advancement is a game-changer,' said Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Medical Appointments & Referrals Centre, Prof Dr Nawfal Aljerian, during a foreign media visit to the Centre at Mina on Sunday, highlighting how the initiative aligns with the kingdom's commitment to enhancing healthcare services during one of the world's largest annual gatherings. The Health Emergency Operations Centre functions 24/7 and integrates real-time data from multiple hospitals, clinics, and ambulance services. All information flows in real time through electronic systems such as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS), allowing healthcare teams to make swift, informed decisions. 'This is an all-digital, fully integrated system,' explained Dr Nawfal. 'Every service provider, from the Ministry of Health to the Red Crescent Authority to private healthcare partners, is linked. Having everyone in the same room at the same time ensures coordinated decision-making and rapid responses.' As of June 1, the ministry reported that more than 81,000 healthcare services had been delivered to pilgrims since the beginning of the Haj season for the year 1446 AH. The Health Emergency Operations Centre also supports public health monitoring, risk assessment, and rapid escalation when needed. In addition, pilgrims can call the 97 local number for health-related queries, where they will be connected directly to the most suitable service. The Unified Security Operations Centre (911), which works closely with the ministry, answers calls in under two seconds and relays reports to specialised teams within 45 seconds. The system can handle calls in nearly all global languages, ensuring that every pilgrim, regardless of nationality, receives the support they need. As the temperature rises during Hajj, health officials are urging pilgrims to take precautions against heat-related illnesses. 'My advice to all pilgrims is: rest when you can, stay out of direct sunlight, use umbrellas, drink plenty of water.. and enjoy your Hajj,' said Dr Nawfal. This comprehensive and well-coordinated effort, led by the Ministry of Health, aims to ensure pilgrims' access to high-quality medical care, strengthen the readiness of preventive and rapid response systems, and safeguard the health and safety of all pilgrims. These services are part of the kingdom's broader health vision under the Health Sector Transformation Programme and the Pilgrim Experience Programme – two key initiatives stemming from Saudi Vision 2030. Data released by the Ministry of Health indicates that nearly 49,000 pilgrims have received care at primary healthcare centres, while emergency departments have handled over 19,000 cases. — AFP pic These initiatives aim to provide exceptional healthcare that ensures the well-being and comfort of pilgrims as they perform their religious duties safely and with ease. Data released by the Ministry of Health indicates that nearly 49,000 pilgrims have received care at primary healthcare centres, while emergency departments have handled over 19,000 cases. Outpatient clinics have received nearly 1,000 patients, and more than 3,500 individuals have been admitted to hospitals, including 1,730 to intensive care units. In addition, the healthcare system has successfully handled 120 cardiac catheterisation procedures and 11 open-heart surgeries. Meanwhile, field medical teams have responded swiftly and efficiently to 25 cases of heat exhaustion. The healthcare system continues to operate at full capacity, guided by proactive planning and a fully integrated network of high-quality services. With the integration of drones, AI-powered decision-making, and 24-hour service, Saudi Arabia's health and security teams are demonstrating a new level of preparedness and innovation to safeguard the health and safety of the Guests of the Merciful. — Bernama
