RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has distributed SR100 million worth of medicines and medical equipment to seven hospitals and 153 primary health care centers in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites for use during the Haj season.
“We have deployed 800 health officials for the distribution and supervision of these medical items among health facilities that offer medical services free of charge to pilgrims,” said Dr. Khalid Al-Hussein, general director of medical supplies at the Ministry of Health.
In addition, the ministry has stocked up more than 1,000 medical items in warehouses in Makkah, Madinah and Arafat. “Such a reserve would help doctors in times of emergencies,” he said.
Hussein said doctors specializing in infectious diseases have been stationed at all entry points to the Kingdom to monitor pilgrims. “Quarantine officials will pick out such pilgrims and provide them with necessary treatment to control the spread of infection among pilgrims,” Hussein said.
Although the Saudi government has already instructed pilgrims to take their doses of injections against diseases that are endemic to their respective countries, the local quarantine officials have been advised to give the necessary doses if the pilgrims have not taken them prior to their departure to Makkah.
The ministry has arranged mobile warehouses to store medicines and equipment needed in emergencies at designated areas. Eight refrigerated vehicles have been fielded for this purpose.
“We maintain an electronic database of all drugs and equipment available so that it will be easier for doctors to operate in the holy cities,” he said, adding that the network is linked to the relevant ministries and departments to ensure coordination.
Hussein said the ministry wants to ensure an across-the-board health service to all pilgrims. “We have even made arrangements for confinement for expecting mothers and are keeping incubators ready,” he added.
