Kingdom provides 24-hour healthcare for pilgrims
170 trained volunteers stationed at 6 locations in the Grand Mosque this Ramadan, official says
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia is continuing to provide 24-hour healthcare for pilgrims this Ramadan in Makkah, say officials.
Dr. Wael Motair, director of the Makkah Health Affairs directorate at the ministry, told Arab News that three emergency centers are available for pilgrims, seven days a week.
The emergency center for the mosque is located on the first floor of the King Fahd Expansion area; the second is at the Saudi Portico, which was originally known as Safa Gate; and the third is on the first floor, close to the Ajyad bridge.
The Ajyad Emergency Hospital and the Mosque’s Hospital are located in the northern courtyard of the King Abdullah Expansion area. Motair said, “As part of its role with the Health General Authority at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, the Ministry of Health is providing high-quality primary care and health and awareness services to the pilgrims throughout the holy month of Ramadan.”
The ministry starts planning for Ramadan several months in advance to ensure services are in place for pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom, he said. Motair added that 170 volunteers are participating in the Sawaed project this year providing ambulatory care, split up among six teams at the Grand Mosque. He said Makkah Health Affairs recently signed an agreement with the Endowment of Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Al-Saud for the supply of medical and ambulatory packs to Sawaed volunteers. Khalid Zahran, secretary-general of the endowment, said 30 of these packs have been provided to Makkah Health Affairs for Ramadan and Hajj.
Mahasen Shuaib, director of volunteer and community development at Makkah Health Affairs, said: “The endowment board agreed to support the Sawaed project and provide means of empowerment and enhancement to first aid methods of intervention, inside the holy mosque.”
In addition to dealing with between 200 and 900 individuals a day during Ramadan, the volunteer teams move patients to clinics where they can receive care.
The Ministry of Health is providing high-quality primary care and health and awareness services to the pilgrims throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
Dr. Wael Motair
Director of Makkah Health Affairs directorate