RIYADH, 21 May 2008 — The Kingdom will enhance its preventive health care program during the next Haj season because of the increasing demand for more health services in the holy cities.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Haj Preparatory Committee in Riyadh yesterday, Dr. Ridah Khalil, the committee’s chairman, said that based on recommendations from concerned organizations, the government has decided to increase the number of health officials to be deployed in the preventive health program during the next Haj.

He added that last year there were only 246 medics, paramedics and health officials working in the two holy cities with the preventive health care team. “This year we hope to increase the staff by 10 percent and offer more facilities to educate the pilgrims to ensure a disease-free Haj,” he said.

Khalil said that the meeting was part of the government’s preparations to ensure a smooth Haj.

He pointed out that every year, the Ministry of Health carries out an intensive campaign against infectious diseases, such as meningitis, cholera, yellow fever and the flu. The government also distributes more than 1.5 million brochures in 16 languages to carry the health message to the pilgrims, who come from all parts of the world.

On a proposal made by one of the participating organizations, Khalil said that the government would consider deploying 50 more mini-ambulances within the two holy cities to ferry the sick to hospitals.

It was also decided to set up an emergency committee, comprising representatives from all departments, to oversee the preparatory work.

“Such a committee will prioritize the preparatory work to reach our target well in time for the next Haj,” he added.

Early this year, the Council of Ministers recommended the establishment of an endowment fund to provide health care services to pilgrims. Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, spokesman of the Health Ministry, said that his ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to set up the endowment.