MADINA: The health authorities here have a plan in place to provide comprehensive medical services to Haj pilgrims, including vaccinations and tests for epidemic diseases. This is according to Dr. Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Taifi, Director General of Health in Madina. He said all primary healthcare centers and hospitals in Madina have been provided with the necessary medical cadres, medical supplies and medicines to provide quality services to the Guests of Allah and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. Al-Taifi said the directorate has mobilized the primary health centers leading to Madina, to provide ambulatory and emergency services around the clock. This is apart from the medical services provided by public hospitals outside Madina. He said the plan also includes offering all kinds of preventive medical services to the Guests of Allah. These include tests for epidemic and viral diseases, such as dengue fever and malaria. If pilgrims are found to have these diseases, they will be isolated and provided with the necessary treatment. He said the directorate also has an awareness campaign underway, using hundreds of thousands of booklets and other published material to educate and enlighten pilgrims about how to avoid getting infectious diseases, especially seasonal flu.
