Latest news with #MinistryOfHealth
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pilgrims' safety takes priority as Saudi Arabia gears up for Hajj
RIYADH: With temperatures expected to soar during Hajj, set to begin on June 4, Saudi Arabia is putting the safety of pilgrims first during the annual event. The authorities have put a range of measures in place to mitigate the harsh desert weather, which will see maximum temperatures of 40-45 C, including using artificial intelligence and expansion of cooling infrastructures. Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said: 'One of the big challenges that we face is the increasing temperature across the different years. This is an issue (to which) we give top priority.' On Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed there had been five cases of heat exhaustion among pilgrims performing Hajj rituals amid rising temperatures at the holy sites. A statement given to Arab News said: 'All individuals affected have received immediate medical attention and are currently in (a) stable condition.' Health teams remain on high alert and will respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's broader commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. 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. Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched to reinforce the message. In a significant step to improved healthcare services for pilgrims, the Ministry of Health has also launched an advanced robotic surgery program at King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. The measures are part of Saudi Arabia's comprehensive strategy to ensure a safe and healthy experience for millions of pilgrims from around the world. Among the key measures taken to offer relief from the high temperatures are the provision of 50,000 sq. meters of additional shaded areas, more than 400 misting and cooling stations, renovation and extension work around the Grand Mosque, and heat-reflective asphalt on major walkways. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has also reviewed its Hajj preparations. CEO Dr. Hisham S. Al-Jadhey has visited the authority's Makkah office to assess how operational plans are being implemented and confirm the readiness of the services provided. He emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of all food and medicine for pilgrims, adding that the responsibility was a great honor. He also reviewed the SFDA's initiatives to apply the highest regulatory standards, leverage modern technologies and utilize artificial intelligence to monitor factories and warehouses, ensuring the quality of products provided during Hajj. The tour included a visit to the SFDA's Hajj Operations Center in Makkah, where Al-Jadhey was briefed on ongoing coordination with government entities, performance monitoring mechanisms and support provided to field teams during inspection tours. The tours are enhanced by advanced tools, such as body cameras, used to document field inspection activities. Al-Jadhey also visited the SFDA site in the regulatory zone within the Holy Sites area, where he reviewed field surveillance plans covering food factories and warehouses. The location serves as a primary base for the deployment of regulatory field teams. In addition, he visited the emergency hospital in Mina, where he met with Dr. Abdullah bin Rashoud Al-Algwizani, CEO of the Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya). The meeting focused on the importance of ongoing collaboration between the two authorities to enhance the health and safety of pilgrims. The tour also included a visit to the National Health Emergency and Crisis Management Center. Throughout the visits, the SFDA teams demonstrated smart analytical tools and digital regulatory technologies employed in surveillance and inspection operations. These tools form part of an interactive, AI-powered system designed to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to achieving the authority's public health and safety goals during Hajj season. In a high-tech upgrade, the Kingdom is also employing AI to monitor pilgrim movements in real time, with drones relaying live footage to command centers to ensure timely crowd control and detection of any medical emergencies. 'We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,' said Al-Rabiah, stressing the importance of technology in preventing tragedies. The crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims by the Ministry of Interior has also intensified. AI-powered systems are monitoring the movement of people entering the holy cities as the majority of last year's heat-related deaths during Hajj involved those without official permits.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya: Principal Secretary (PS) Oluga Calls for Increased Funding to Strengthen Family Planning Programme
Medical Services Principal Secretary, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has called on the Parliamentary Committee on Health to prioritise increased resource allocation to the national family planning programme. Speaking in Mombasa during a high-level stakeholder meeting on family planning commodity financing advocacy, Dr. Oluga underscored the critical need for sustained investment to ensure equitable access to family planning services across the country. 'To continue offering equitable and reliable access to family planning, the programme requires approximately USD 25 million—equivalent to Ksh. 3.2 billion—annually for the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of commodities,' he said. He noted that public education remains a key component of the programme's success, emphasizing that access alone is not enough without corresponding awareness. 'There is clear and compelling evidence that investing in family planning pays off. A 2018 cost-benefit analysis revealed that for every one shilling invested in family planning, Kenya saves up to four shillings in health care, education, and social services,' he added. Dr. Oluga identified low public awareness and limited access to commodities as major challenges hindering the effectiveness of the programme. He urged for deliberate efforts to address these barriers. 'We must help the population understand the value of family planning. As the Ministry of Health, our role is to implement what society needs and supports,' he said. The Principal Secretary affirmed that family planning is not only a health intervention but a national investment with long-term social and economic returns. 'It is a social equalizer, a means of promoting education, and a powerful lever for economic development. It is about saving lives, enhancing resilience, and securing a prosperous future for generations to come,' he stated. He further emphasized that children born into planned families are more likely to thrive—receiving adequate nutrition, accessing education, and reaching their full potential. Dr. Oluga described family planning as a cornerstone for public health, a pathway to unlock the demographic dividend, and a hallmark of a progressive, forward-looking nation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Al Arabiya
11 hours ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Five heat exhaustion cases reported among Hajj pilgrims: Saudi health ministry
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among Hajj pilgrims amid rising summer temperatures at the holy sites. All individuals affected received immediate medical attention and are currently in stable condition, the ministry said in a statement shared with Al Arabiya English. Health teams remain on high alert to respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's broader commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. 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. To support these efforts, multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched, and field preparedness has been reinforced, particularly in response to seasonal heat risks. These measures are part of Saudi Arabia's comprehensive health strategy to ensure a safe and healthy pilgrimage experience for millions of worshippers from around the world, the ministry said. Earlier this week Saudi Minister of Health Fahad al-Jalajel confirmed that there are no reports of epidemic cases or risk of outbreaks as pilgrims began arriving in the Kingdom for the Hajj season. 'We are pleased to announce that no epidemic cases have been detected so far and there is no risk for outbreak of diseases. The health and safety of pilgrims remain our highest priority,' said al-Jalajel in an official statement shared with Al Arabiya English.
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia unveils robotic surgery program ahead of Hajj 2025
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel inaugurated a surgical robotics program at King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah as part of the Kingdom's preparations to ensure world-class healthcare during Hajj 2025. The robotic surgery unit, operated by Saudi surgeons, will enable minimally invasive procedures in areas such as thoracic surgery, urology, and oncology. The technology is expected to shorten recovery time, reduce surgical risks, and significantly enhance the quality of patient care, the Ministry of Health said in press release on Thursday. 'This project represents a major leap in our healthcare capabilities during the Hajj season,' said Al-Jalajel. 'We are harnessing innovation to ensure that pilgrims receive the highest level of medical care, in line with the Vision 2030 goals of improving health services and integrating advanced technologies,' he added. In addition to the robotic surgery unit, the minister unveiled a new PET-CT scanner, the first of its kind in the ministry's facilities in the Western Region. The advanced imaging device will provide precise diagnostics for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, and will support the early detection and treatment of critical cases. The initiatives are part of a broader national effort to raise the standards of healthcare provided to pilgrims. The Kingdom has already launched multilingual health awareness campaigns, deployed mobile infectious disease units, and increased medical capacity across the holy sites. With more than 50,000 healthcare professionals and advanced technologies in place, Saudi Arabia is aiming to make Hajj 2025 not only spiritually fulfilling but also medically safe and secure for all pilgrims.
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia unveils robotic surgery and PET-CT scanner to boost Hajj healthcare services
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced robotic surgery at King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, the Kingdom's Ministry of Health said on Thursday. The new robotic system marks a major advancement in healthcare services provided to Hajj pilgrims and will support procedures in thoracic surgery, urology, and oncology, enabling greater surgical precision and faster recovery for patients. The initiative is part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to leverage technology to improve the quality and efficiency of care delivered during the annual pilgrimage. The hospital has also launched the first-ever PET-CT scanner within the ministry's hospitals in the western region. The diagnostic tool allows for early detection of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities. These developments are in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes innovation and excellence in healthcare, the ministry said. The expansion of high-tech medical services during Hajj reflects Saudi Arabia's continued commitment to ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims from around the world.
