This year's Haj was was safe and free from epidemic and quarantine diseases. All pilgrims were enjoying good health, Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Mane', announced on Wednesday. The Minister made the remarks at a press conference in Mina. He said that in light of the reports submitted by various local commissions and the field survey of the public health situation, he was pleased to announce that this year's Haj season was free from any epidemic and quarantine diseases. He pointed out that his Ministry had prepared a comprehensive preventive plan for the prevention of epidemic and quarantine diseases. The Minister said the pilgrims were subjected to examinations at the Kingdom's entry points to ensure that they were free from epidemic diseases. The Ministry of Health collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure the safety of pilgrims' health during this year's Haj. Dr. Khalid Bin Muhammad Marghalani, the Ministry's spokesman, said that there had been close coordination between the Ministry and various international health organizations, particularly WHO, since the beginning of this year in order to remain up-to-date regarding the outbreak of diseases across the world. Dr. Mirghalani added that cooperation between the Ministry and WHO in protecting pilgrims from epidemic diseases is considered an important issue. The spokesman said the Ministry's cooperation with WHO is brought about through various means including the provision of information and global updates on infectious diseases to the Ministry. He said that WHO provides the Ministry with updates on the emergence of epidemics in the various countries of the world from which pilgrims come to the Kingdom. The world body also provides periodic publications and consults with the Ministry of Health as needed in order to deal with any emerging epidemic cases that may occur in the pilgrims' home countries. Dr. Mirghalani affirmed that the Ministry of Health benefits from the information provided by WHO and other international health bodies and health authorities in countries from which the pilgrims come, in formulating and deciding on health and vaccination requirements that are made obligatory for pilgrims before their arrival in the Kingdom for Haj. He noted that such requirements have proved their effectiveness in combating infectious diseases – thanks to Allah Almighty and then thanks to the cooperation of the Saudi embassies and missions all over the world and the health authorities in the pilgrims' countries.
