Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced on Thursday the success of the Hajj health plan, saying that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage was free from coronavirus and other epidemic diseases, adding that an integrated system of health facilities was put in place at the holy sites.

“The decision to limit the number of pilgrims to 60,000 had a tangible impact on preserving the health and safety of the pilgrims,” he said in a statement issued on the occasion of the success of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage held amid the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic situation.

Dr. Al-Rabiah thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for their utmost keenness to provide all means and capabilities to serve the pilgrims and facilitate their performance of the Hajj rituals in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.

He said that the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority have prepared for this year’s Hajj an integrated system of health facilities at the holy sites, which included a group of hospitals, health centers and highly equipped ambulances, supervised by the medical, technical and administrative staff, who are qualified and trained to work during the Hajj season.

The minister noted that all government sectors participating in serving the pilgrims have made great efforts to implement the Hajj health plan to ensure the safety of pilgrims and prevent the spread of infection among them in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“All these efforts and precautionary measures have contributed to dealing with the health situation of the pandemic during this year’s Hajj season, which necessitated limiting the number of pilgrims to 60,000 vaccinated pilgrims that had a tangible impact on maintaining the health and safety of pilgrims,” he added.