Latest news with #Makkah
Arab News
an hour ago
- Health
- Arab News
Makkah royal commission leads Saudi Arabia's push to streamline Hajj operations
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is rolling out a high-tech, data-driven operational system to improve the pilgrim experience during Hajj, led by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. The initiatives emphasizes real-time coordination, smart mobility solutions and infrastructure enhancements to manage the flow of millions with greater speed, safety and efficiency, deploying cutting-edge technology and infrastructure improvements and operating on continuous assessment and gradual improvement, according to officials. At the core of the plan is a shift from reactive approaches to proactive operations. Through continuous assessment and integrated digital tools, the commission empowers authorities and streamlines pilgrim services across holy sites to achieve rapid response and strengthen functional integration. At the core of the plan is a shift from reactive approaches to proactive operations. (SPA) Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said: 'Our preparations aim to create an operational environment that empowers relevant authorities and facilitates the pilgrims' journey.' Key elements include field operation rooms, backup buses and human-flow data analysis tools to guide resources and organize crowd movement, as well as electric scooter services and Makkah taxi services within carefully planned zones. The Transport General Authority has implemented an advanced operational plan for the transport system during the Hajj season, facilitating the movement of more than 2.1 million pilgrims over a few days. Efforts for health and safety infrastructure include a 200-bed field hospital in Mina. (SPA) The plan includes several transport systems: Single-trip buses serving 427,433 with 9,094 buses; two-trip services for 209,656 pilgrims using 2,230 buses; a shuttle for 702,251 pilgrims using 4,980 buses; and the Mashaer Metro line serving 423,000 pilgrims. To support this, the commission is overseeing key roadwork projects, including 1.7 km of the Second Ring Road with 208 meters of bridges and 3.35 km of service roads, as well as two phases of the Third Ring Road totaling more than 8 km, to reduce travel time and improve connectivity between Makkah and the Holy Sites. The commission also oversees the Kingdom's Project for the Utilization of Sacrificial Animals, also known as Adahi. Saudi Arabia has launched a high-tech data driven system for Hajj this year with upgraded facilities and streamlined efforts. (SPA) Recent efforts include equipping seven operational complexes over 1 million sq. m, processing more than 1.1 million animals, and expanding distribution to more than 30 countries via platforms such as Ehsan and Saudi Post. AI-powered systems track implementation and enhance efficiency. The Business Intelligence Center and Makkah Urban Observatory support real-time decision-making and monitor demographic and spatial improvements. Efforts for health and safety infrastructure include a 200-bed field hospital in Mina; 71 rapid intervention points; 15 mobile ambulance units; and 170,000 sq. m of shaded pedestrian pathways in Muzdalifah lined with 10,000 trees; 64 two-story restroom complexes, and 400 modern water coolers. In central Makkah, more than 235,000 sq. m of sidewalks and 30,000 sq. m of shade have been added, along with prayer courtyards for 60,000 extra worshippers, all to improve mobility and spiritual access around the Grand Mosque. Additional upgrades include multi-story tent systems, improved Miqat mosques, and expanded facilities at Al-Taneem and Al-Ji'ranah, enhancing the beginning stages of the pilgrimage. The commission's unified vision brings together more than 10 government agencies to support pilgrims logistically and elevate their overall experience through smart, coordinated planning.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kidana Completes 1st Phase of Double-Story Tent Project in Mina to Expand Hajj Capacity
Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has successfully completed the first phase of its double-story tent project in Mina, representing approximately 75% of the total project carried out in partnership with the private sector. The project is part of a comprehensive development plan designed to enrich the pilgrim experience, increase capacity, and improve the quality of accommodation services in Mina, ensuring a comfortable and safe residential environment for pilgrims, SPA reported. The first phase, developed in collaboration with a national company, covers more than 20,000 square meters and includes over 40 buildings equipped with more than 550 restrooms. Construction was completed in approximately 100 days using various techniques that accelerated implementation and delivered robust, flexible solutions capable of withstanding weather fluctuations. For the Hajj season 1446 AH, approximately 8,000 pilgrims from various Hajj packages, both domestic and international, are expected to use the site. This limited deployment will serve as a critical test of the project's effectiveness and its suitability for meeting the diverse needs of pilgrims, potentially paving the way for expansion across the holy sites. The full project is scheduled for completion by next year's Hajj season, with an expected capacity of up to 20,000 pilgrims. The double-story tent initiative is set to significantly enhance the quality of accommodation services in the holy sites, enriching the pilgrim experience by providing a safe and organized residential environment that supports their well-being and meets diverse needs. It will also create an optimal setting for performing rituals with ease and peace, contributing to greater pilgrim satisfaction and promoting sustainable, efficient land use.
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah pioneers first robotic thoracic surgery with Da Vinci system
MAKKAH: King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah has successfully performed the first precise robotic thoracic surgery using the Da Vinci Xi system. Dr. Adel Tash, CEO of KAMC, told Arab News that the launch of the service is a significant medical milestone, further solidifying the city's role as a leading reference center for advanced specialized healthcare, driven by the latest innovations in medical and surgical technology. 'The first case involved a patient in his thirties who suffered from recurrent air accumulations in his left chest cavity, causing persistent breathing difficulties. Tests revealed cysts in the upper and lower lobes of his left lung. These cysts were successfully removed, and the lung was attached to the chest wall using a surgical robot during a delicate operation that took an hour and a half,' Tash said. The operation was performed under the leadership of Dr. Muteb Al-Zaidi, a consultant in thoracic, esophageal, and gastric surgery, using robotic and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. He was assisted by Dr. Ayman Jaafar, assistant consultant in thoracic surgery, in collaboration with a specialized team from the anesthesia and nursing departments. Tash said robotic surgery is characterized by the high precision provided by the 3D camera, and the ability to precisely access complex areas of the body with minimal intervention, which is reflected in reduced post-operative pain, accelerated recovery, and faster discharge of the patient from the hospital compared with traditional operations. He said that traditional operations required surgical incisions that could be more than 10 centimeters whereas a single incision in robotic surgery does not exceed 1 cm, which reduces side effects and improves overall surgical outcomes. Tash concluded by underscoring KAMC's ongoing commitment to adopting the latest scientific technologies and providing advanced and safe healthcare services that contribute to improving patients' quality of life and making the treatment experience a model to be emulated across the Kingdom and the region. In this context, KAMC, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, launched the Da Vinci surgical system, positioning itself among the first healthcare institutions in the Western Region to adopt this state-of-the-art technology for intricate and high-precision surgeries. This step is expected to enhance the quality of medical services and elevate the patient experience, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Da Vinci system is a robotic platform that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with exceptional precision. Operated from a central console, the system translates the surgeon's hand movements into highly refined, microscopic actions, enhanced by a high-definition, magnified 3D view of the surgical site. It comprises three key components: the surgeon console, where the surgeon directs the procedure via an advanced visual interface; the patient cart, which houses robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments and a high-resolution camera; and the vision cart, responsible for image transmission and visual processing. Crucially, the system is not autonomous. The entire operation is performed under the full control of a surgeon. The system was first used at KAMC in a thoracic surgery, followed by a complex procedure for a patient with uterine cancer. The surgery was completed without complications, and the patient was discharged in less than 24 hours. KAMC now plans to expand the system's use to a wide range of specialties, including urology, gastrointestinal surgery, thoracic and cardiac procedures, bariatric surgery, and other advanced general surgeries. The system offers a range of technical and medical advantages, including high-definition 3D visualization that allows surgeons to observe intricate anatomical details with exceptional clarity; ultra-precise instrument control that mimics the natural movement of the human hand with microscopic accuracy; and minimally invasive procedures through small incisions, which significantly reduce pain, blood loss, and the risk of infection. Patients benefit from faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and improved surgical outcomes with lower complication rates compared with traditional surgery. Additionally, the system supports advanced surgical education and training through a safe, highly accurate simulation environment. KAMC seeks to broaden the application of robotic surgery across additional subspecialties, advance physician training through immersive virtual reality simulations, and use smart analytics and artificial intelligence to elevate the precision, efficiency and overall quality of surgical outcomes.
Arab News
a day ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia reports five heat exhaustion cases among pilgrims, urges precautions amid soaring temperatures
MAKKAH: As temperatures soared at the holy sites, Saudi Arabia confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among the more than one million pilgrims who have arrived to perform Hajj rituals. All those affected received immediate medical attention and are currently in a stable condition, according to the ministry of health, which added that health teams were on high alert to respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. The country's National Center for Meteorology has forecast hot to extremely hot weather conditions at the holy sites during this year's Hajj season. According to the center, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 40°C and 47°C, while minimum temperatures will vary between 27°C and 32°C. Humidity levels are projected to fluctuate between 15 percent and 60 percent. In a post on its X account, the ministry urged pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and follow official health guidelines, such as using shaded walkways, wearing appropriate protective gear, and seeking help at the first signs of fatigue. 'If not treated promptly, heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke within 10-15 minutes — a life-threatening medical emergency,' the post stated. The ministry also advised pilgrims who experience heat exhaustion symptoms to begin immediate cooling measures, such as washing their hands, faces and necks with cold water and moving to a cooler area, as well as drinking plenty of cold water to rehydrate. In its post, the ministry identified headache, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, and severe thirst as key clinical symptoms of heat exhaustion. Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched, and field preparedness has been reinforced, particularly in response to seasonal heat risks. The ministry had announced the health sector's readiness to receive pilgrims, revealing a 60 percent increase in bed capacity compared with last year. Fahad Al-Jalajel, the minister of health, recently confirmed the deployment of over 50,000 medical and technical personnel to serve pilgrims and emphasized the stability of the health situation, with no reported outbreaks or epidemics, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 'Health efforts began early in pilgrims' homelands by analyzing international health risks and issuing clear health requirements, including vaccinations against yellow fever, meningitis, polio, COVID-19, and influenza,' SPA reported, citing Al-Jalajel. The minister underscored the role of the health certificate as the first line of defense during the Hajj season, noting that the Kingdom's health system launched its services with the arrival of the first Makkah Route Initiative flight. As part of the Kingdom's comprehensive preparations, 14 land, air, and sea ports have been fully equipped, delivering more than 50,000 health services so far, including 140 surgical procedures, 65 cardiac catheterizations, and six open-heart surgeries, the minister said. To combat heatstroke risks, Al-Jalajel announced a series of measures in coordination with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. These include planting more than 10,000 trees, installing 400 additional water coolers and misting fans, and expanding shaded pedestrian pathways to protect pilgrims from extreme heat. The ministry of health has also intensified awareness efforts through multilingual campaigns, stationing field teams, launching media programs, and organizing medical missions to ensure important health information reaches all pilgrims. Al-Jalajel further revealed the establishment of a new 200-bed emergency hospital in Mina, developed in collaboration with Kidana Development Co. In addition, three new field hospitals with more than 1,200 beds have been set up in partnership with the ministries of national guard, defense, and interior. These were inaugurated 'alongside 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances, 11 evacuation aircraft, and over 7,500 paramedics,' Al-Jalajel told SPA. The minister urged pilgrims to follow health guidelines and affirmed that the Kingdom's health system is operating at full capacity to ensure a safe and healthy Hajj season for all.
Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Makkah doctors save Egyptian pilgrim from losing eyesight
MAKKAH: Quick and precise intervention by a medical team at the Eye Health Center of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah saved the sight of an Egyptian pilgrim who experienced sudden vision loss, Saudi Arabia's health authorities announced on Thursday. A series of examinations revealed that the patient was suffering from retinal detachment and cataracts that could have led to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly, said a Makkah Health Cluster statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. After surgery, the patient was discharged on the same day and was able to continue with her Hajj preparations. 'She is now receiving close medical follow-up to ensure retinal stability and gradual improvement in her vision,' the statement said. Every year Saudi Arabia deploys around 50,000 healthcare and other professionals to work 24 hours daily during Hajj. Last year, the Ministry of Health said more than 142,000 pilgrims benefited from various healthcare services provided by health centers and hospitals. Of this number, 4,082 were admissions to hospitals and medical centers, including 24 open-heart surgeries, 249 cardiac catheterizations, and 1,006 dialysis sessions.
