More than 1.3 million medical services provided to pilgrims during Hajj 2024

The Saudi Arabian government revealed that it provided preventive medical services, including early detection, vaccinations and medical treatment on arrival to more than 1.3 million pilgrims, out of a total of 1.8 million, who attended the 2024 Hajj this year.

Speaking in a media interview, Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said the Kingdom’s health system provided more than 465,000 specialized treatment services, including 141,000 services to those who did not receive official permission to perform Hajj.

The minister also stressed that their health system has faced many cases of heat stress this year, with some people still in care.

The achievement, according to the minister, was made possible through coordinated efforts of the health system and the Hajj security forces, ensuring that no cases of epidemics or widespread diseases were recorded.

Al-Jalajel further revealed that the services provided by the Kingdom also included open heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, dialysis and emergency care, totaling over 30,000 ambulance services, with 95 ambulance companies ensuring the delivery of advanced health services in medical cities the country.

In addition, approximately 6,500 beds and rooms were also made available by the country’s health care system.

Addressing the victims during this year’s pilgrimage, the official acknowledged that 1,301 people lost their lives during Hajj 2024, of whom 83% were not permitted to perform the pilgrimage in the first place and had to walk long distances under the direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.

“May God forgive and have mercy on the deceased. Our deepest condolences to their families. May God accept their actions and reward them for their suffering,” the minister said.

“All reports have been drawn up, the families of the deceased have been notified and identification has been completed, despite the initial lack of personal details or identification documents. Appropriate procedures have been followed to identify, bury and honor the deceased, with death certificates,” he added. .