Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih has called upon the ministry's field medicine employees in Muaisem, near Mina, to extend the best possible services to the guests of God during this Haj season. He also urged them to deal with emergency cases quickly and efficiently. Addressing staff members while inaugurating the ministry's field medicine fleet in Muaisem, Al-Falih said he was happy with the arrangements made to protect the health of Hajis. Deputy Minister Hamad Al-Dhuwailie, Haj Preparatory Committee chairman Dr. Emad Al-Jahdali and other senior ministry officials took part in the inauguration ceremony. The minister highlighted the significance of field medicine, saying it plays an important role in safeguarding pilgrims' health quickly and efficiently. “We have set up 180 small clinics in various parts of the holy sites in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah,” he said. These clinics were established to deal with various health conditions of pilgrims on the spot. “They transfer serious cases to specialized hospitals in Makkah and other holy sites.” Al-Falih added: “We have introduced this system to protect the health of more than two million pilgrims from different countries who gather in a limited space to perform their Haj rituals.” Dr. Tariq Al-Arnous, director general of emergency healthcare and chairman of the emergency and field medicine, said field health teams have been working from Dhul Hijjah 8 when Hajis assembled in Mina at the start of Haj pilgrimage. “We have readied 100 small ambulance vehicles and 57 big ones with advanced facilities. They are manned by experienced staff members capable of dealing with crowds. They treat patients in different parts of the holy sites to reduce overcrowding at hospitals,” he said. The ministry has deployed 30 new small ambulances for service during this Haj season in order to cover all parts of the holy sites. Health workers in these ambulances treat patients having minor illness and carry those having chronic diseases to hospitals. The Haj health committee coordinates with the Civil Defense to provide air ambulance services to patients as well as accident victims. “This year we have upgraded our air ambulance services and set up helipads at six major hospitals,” Al-Arnous said. The ministry has set up 18 health service points along the Al-Mashaer Train track. The field medicine has a total of 830 employees including doctors, nurses and paramedics. “The field medicine committee focuses on areas where large numbers of pilgrims stay,” Al-Arnous said. Meanwhile, Minister Al-Falih has commended the services of Saudi scouts. “I feel proud of Saudi scouts who extend marvelous services to pilgrims. They represent the glittering picture of ouryouth," he said in a Twitter message. “Our scouts have impressed me through their wonderful services in Mina. I have personally observed their dedicated services at the emergency hospital in Mina,” Al-Falih said. About 400 scouts work with the ministry's hospitals and clinics during the Haj season.
