The huge demand for medicine by pilgrims is forcing Makkah Mayoralty to triple the number of pharmacies in the city. The move comes after inspections showed that the city's three pharmacies in the central area near the Haram were chronically undersupplied during Haj and ran out of stock just hours after opening. These pharmacies were established to supply non-prescription medicines to foreign pilgrims. Prior to this, pilgrims were forced to see a doctor in order to get the most basic medicines. Despite the shortages the Director General of Development and Investment Hisham Abdul Rahman Shalli claimed “the pharmacy experiment has proved to be a success.” The pharmacies were in addition to a huge Ministry of Health campaign that catered to the needs of 1.2 million pilgrims. Around 80 primary health care centers were in operation in Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifa. Apart from this, seven major hospitals — three in Arafat and four in Mina - tended to sick and seriously injured pilgrims. The Makkah Mayoralty is also considering opening more banks to lighten the burden on the mobile cash points which have served pilgrims for years. __
