Riyadh: The health system has continued its intensive efforts during the Umrah season in the holy month of Ramadan, providing over 40,000 health services to Umrah performers during the first half of the month. This comes as part of the health sector's high readiness to ensure the health and safety of the guests of Allah, enhancing their spiritual experience while performing the rituals and providing a safe and comfortable healthcare environment.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Health affirmed that these efforts align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030. The initiatives focus on delivering comprehensive and advanced healthcare services of the highest quality to Hajj and Umrah performers, including specialized medical services during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. In this context, Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel conducted field inspection visits over the past two months to Makkah and Madinah to assess the healthcare readiness for receiving the Umrah performers and visitors. He reviewed the available facilities and equipment in hospitals and health centers, emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to provide high-quality medical services that ensure the comfort and safety of Umrah performers.
The provided services included comprehensive healthcare, with hospitals admitting over 1,900 inpatients and handling more than 28,000 emergency cases. Primary healthcare was offered to over 3,000 Umrah performers, while more than 200 surgeries were performed, including 80 cardiac catheterizations and over 1,600 dialysis sessions. These figures highlight the readiness of medical teams to efficiently and professionally meet the diverse healthcare needs of Umrah performers.
As part of integrated efforts, the health system strengthened coordination between the public and private sectors. Several interventions were implemented, leading to significant improvements in response times in the central areas surrounding the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, ensuring the highest levels of efficiency in healthcare delivery. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority teams played a vital role in handling emergency cases by providing first aid and transporting critical cases in accordance with the highest emergency response standards.
The Ministry of Health continues its supervisory efforts by enhancing the readiness of hospitals and health centers, strengthening emergency teams, and providing the latest technologies to ensure the quality of healthcare services. Additionally, it works on improving response times to meet the needs of Umrah performers during the holy month.