MANAMA, 5 January 2005 — Bahrain’s medical mission will open three 24-hour clinics in Makkah, Mina and Arafat to provide health care to more than 12,000 Bahrainis who will perform Haj later this month.
“The mission will concentrate on providing the best treatment to patients,” Health Minister Dr. Nada Hafadh said.
The Haj mission team includes nine doctors, 10 nurses, six pharmacists and an equal number of health inspectors.
“To ensure the mission’s commitment, the team itself would not perform Haj but concentrate its efforts on serving the people.”
“Clinics are only for Bahraini pilgrims, and patients will be provided with the required treatment,” the minister said, adding that the team would work under a daily eight-hour shift system.
She said the ministry was keen to offer the latest facilities to pilgrims.
“The clinic in Makkah is close to Al-Noor Hospital to enable the mission to move serious cases straightaway to the hospital. Last year the clinic in Mina received around 1,000 Bahraini patients daily,” said mission head Dr. Ahmad Omran.
The mission is cooperating with Bahrain’s Supreme Haj Committee to ensure the smooth operation of its medical services.
“However, Haj contractors with fewer than 200 pilgrims should hire a nurse while those with more than 200 must recruit a doctor and a nurse.”
The Ministry of Health again called on pilgrims yesterday to take required vaccinations before traveling to Makkah. It also asked Haj contractors to meet immunization requirements and ensure health and safety measures during the pilgrimage.
