New electronic apps to raise awareness among Haj pilgrims

RIYADH: Bracing up to ensure a peaceful and smooth Haj this year, the Ministry of Health has designed several methods such as e-applications and awareness booklets to benefit pilgrims during Haj.
This is besides the regular arrangements like wearing bracelets etc. for their location and safe return.
Haj preparatory committees held their 22nd meeting in the ministry’s bureau in Riyadh, under the presidency of Hussein Al-Ghannam, chairman of the Haj preparatory committees and general supervisor of the general directorate of health services for Haj and Umrah.
The meeting was attended by the committee’s chairman and the participation of health affairs officials in Makkah and Madinah, and King Abdullah Medical City, through video communications.
The meeting discussed the health awareness plan for the coming Haj season, and the special preparations of the emergency committee during Haj, in addition to the mechanism to develop emergency work by dividing it into three operational areas: The central area, the holy sites of Arafat, Mina, and the Mozdalifa and Makkah area. The meeting discussed the contribution of the visiting work force in rare specialties in emergency, intensive care and burns.
The meeting also reviewed work flow and the completion of medical and non-medical preparations, in addition to precautions to face contagious diseases during the Haj season, especially in regards to MERS-corona virus.
Healthcare services were offered to more than 405,542 pilgrims during the last Haj season, and more than 1.3 million pilgrims were tested through its 15 health centers at its land, marine and air ports.
Last Haj season witnessed 22 open heart surgeries, 668 cardiac catheterizations, 2,213 dialysis sessions and 31 endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures, reported Aleqtesadiah.