Hajj 2022: Saudi authorities oversee preparedness to ensure pilgrim safety

RIYADH: Preparations are underway to assure the safety of hajj pilgrims in Makkah. Health and humanitarian authorities if Saudi Arabia, Makkah Health Affairs and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Madinah have been supervising inspections in the holy cities to evaluate the readiness and arrangement in place to ensure safety of pilgrims during Hajj.

To gauge the level of preparedness of medical facilities and staff this Hajj season, the Health Affairs in Makkah had participated in a mock experiment involving a fire drill at one of the city's pilgrim residences .

The experiment involved a short circuit fire which sent smoke and flames outside the building and several occupants had to be removed. In addition, there were 34 casualties, ranging from injuries to fatalities.

The medical staff examined the cases according to their assigned zones: six cases in the red zone, eight cases in the yellow zone, 16 cases in the green zone and four cases in the black zone.

Makkah Health Affairs Spokesman Hamad Al Otaibi confirmed that the test was conducted with the participation of several medical and security authorities and departments.

The mock trial also witnessed the involvement of the Emergency and Disaster Executive Administration in the Makkah Healthcare Cluster and its affiliated hospitals, Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital and King Faisal Hospital, as well as ambulatory centers.

Wael bin Hamza Mutair, Director General of Makkah Health Affairs and chairman of the Hajj and Umrah executive committee, confirmed the capability of the Makkah health sector to deal with all medical, ambulatory and emergency cases that may arise both inside and outside the holy places, the Arab News reported.

In a recent cabinet meeting, King Salman ordered the state regions to provide the best service to the pilgrims during the Hajj.

"Serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims has been at the forefront of the Kingdom's priority since its establishment and still is. We are proud to continue this mission with the highest competency," the King said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jalal bin Mohammed Al-Owaisi, the president of SRCA visited Madinah to inspect as well as inaugurate several ambulatory centers there.

The visit is part of a tour to check preparations ahead of Hajj and to ensure the setup of various centers in Makkah and Madinah to receive pilgrims.

Several detailed presentations were put forth before Al-Owaisi by the centres about the important arrangements made to accomodate visitors to Madinah during Hajj.