Comprehensive Healthcare for Pilgrims: Extraordinary Efforts, Advanced Procedures
Providing healthcare to pilgrims is a top priority for the Government of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Health operates at full capacity to ensure high-quality and free medical care for all pilgrims. This commitment is reflected in the scope and quality of services offered, including complex and specialized surgeries.
During the 1445 Hajj season (2024), over 142,000 pilgrims benefited from various healthcare services provided by health centers and hospitals from the beginning of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah. These services included 24 open-heart surgeries, 249 cardiac catheterizations, and 1,006 dialysis sessions. Additionally, 4,082 pilgrims were admitted to hospitals and medical centers to receive necessary care.
These figures illustrate the ongoing advancement in medical capabilities during Hajj seasons. In the 1444 Hajj season (2023), Medina alone recorded 124 surgeries for pilgrims of different nationalities, including 64 cardiac catheterizations, 4 open-heart surgeries, and 56 general surgeries. There were also 122 dialysis sessions provided, and over 4,700 pilgrims visited emergency departments, including critical care cases.
'Saving Lives' Program
Healthcare efforts extend beyond surgeries through pioneering programs and initiatives aimed at comprehensive care. One of the most notable is the 'Saving Lives' program, implemented annually by the Ministry of Health. It offers specialized, free medical services including open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, dialysis, endoscopy procedures, and other necessary interventions for pilgrims.
Emergency and field medicine services are also significantly reinforced. A modern ambulance fleet is deployed, featuring mobile intensive care units and fully equipped large ambulances for rapid response to emergencies. Dedicated facilities, such as the King Abdulaziz Center for Kidney Diseases in Medina, support vital services like dialysis and can accommodate dozens of sessions daily for pilgrims.
This comprehensive system is further enhanced by multi-language health education, as well as initiatives like the 'Sick Pilgrims Convoy', which transports hospitalized patients to the holy sites to enable them to perform their rituals. These efforts are powered by a massive workforce—approximately 29,000 healthcare, technical, and administrative staff as of 1438 (2017).
Digital Transformation, Health Sector
In parallel with the tremendous efforts in serving pilgrims, Saudi Arabia's health sector is undergoing a comprehensive digital transformation. The goal is to restructure healthcare delivery to be more efficient, effective, and patient-centered. Digital health is a top priority under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, which aim to harness technology to improve healthcare quality and accessibility.
A cornerstone of this shift is the National e-Health Initiative, designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare sector through information technology. It seeks to integrate all health information systems to create a unified electronic health record for every individual in the Kingdom.
This initiative has led to the development of a wide range of digital platforms and applications, including: 'Sehhaty' (My Health): A comprehensive health services portal that allows appointment booking for various services, including COVID-19 testing, remote medical consultations, appointment management, access to e-prescriptions, and personal medical records.
'Seha' (Health): The first platform specializing in remote medical consultations, enabling direct communication between patients and doctors.
'Mawid' (Appointment): Allows users to easily schedule and manage appointments at primary healthcare centers under the Ministry of Health.
Other specialized platforms: 'Tatamman': For monitoring COVID-19 cases. 'Efada': For issuing medical examination certificates for expatriates. 'Wiqaya': For health education and disease prevention.
Healthcare Services
These digital platforms have had a tangible positive impact on the healthcare sector. They have significantly improved access to care, especially in remote areas, enabling patients to receive immediate consultations without visiting healthcare facilities. They've reduced waiting times and travel costs, streamlined health data management, improved care coordination, and reduced medical errors. Additionally, they've played a key role in health awareness, disease prevention, and post-treatment follow-up.
The healthcare services provided during the Hajj season—including advanced surgical procedures—exemplify Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to offering the highest standards of care to pilgrims. Simultaneously, the accelerated digital transformation of the health sector reflects an ambitious vision for the future of healthcare in the Kingdom. By leveraging technology to enhance quality, efficiency, and accessibility, Saudi Arabia is serving both citizens and residents alike.
This integration of advanced direct care with innovative digital solutions positions the Kingdom as a global leader in healthcare services.
Related Topics:
Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations
Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts
Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor
New Chapter Unfolded: Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Intensive Care Unit
Short link :
Post Views: 2
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia deploys drones to deliver medicine to pilgrims during Hajj
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities will use drones to deliver medicines and other medical supplies to patients during the upcoming Hajj season, the Kingdom's Ministry of Health said on Monday, cutting delivery times from an average of one hour to just six minutes. The initiative, covering a network of more 136 locations at several sites, will be able to provide more than 2,000 types of medicines and other medical supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel, who is also the chairman of NUPCO, the medical supplies and logistical services company that will operate the deliveries, inspected the business's fleet of drones and helicopters on Monday at a facility located near Mount Arafat, a key holy site for pilgrims during Hajj. The drone technology will help safeguard the health and safety of pilgrims, and ensure the speedy delivery of medicines and other medical supplies during Hajj, according to officials. NUPCO said it will deploy its drones at six major medical centers in Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat. These locations will welcome nearly 1.25 million Muslim pilgrims during Hajj, which begins on June 4 and continues until June 9. NUPCO has also supplied smart bracelets that will monitor the health of security personnel while they are on duty during Hajj.
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi charity gives $2.8m to families in June
RIYADH: The Charitable Society for Orphan Care in Riyadh, known as Insan, transferred SR10.5 million ($2.8 million) to the accounts of beneficiary families in early June, reaching 35,131 individuals. The distribution included direct cash payments, clothing allowances, and food provisions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Half of the total amount was allocated to food supplies, with the remainder dedicated to financial aid and clothing, the SPA added. Insan follows a systematic approach, crediting beneficiary accounts at the start of each month to ensure consistent support. The organization also offers educational programs, activities, targeted initiatives, skill-building, and vocational training to empower children and enhance their quality of life. Its efforts align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to transition families from dependency to productivity and self-sufficiency.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi General Authority for Awqaf Launches Awareness Hajj Campaign
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Awqaf has launched its awareness campaign for the Hajj season, highlighting the vital role of endowments in serving pilgrims. The campaign aims to showcase various endowment initiatives that facilitate the Hajj journey, while providing pilgrims a comprehensive spiritual experience rooted in care, generosity, and solidarity, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. Through its awareness campaign, the authority aims to boost community understanding of the crucial role endowments play in supporting projects related to guidance, accommodation, water supply, translation services, safety, and educational programs at the two holy mosques. It also supports initiatives that integrate various government agencies, such as the Pilgrims City in Al-Jouf Region, which receives pilgrims arriving by land through the Kingdom's northern border crossings, and the Makkah Route Initiative, which aims to serve more than one million pilgrims. The campaign is part of the authority's ongoing efforts to emphasize the developmental and social values of endowments and to activate their role during significant seasons of worship. This reinforces the authority's position as a development enabler and strategic partner in serving pilgrims.
