The Director-General of the MOH Laboratories and Blood Banks, and Head of the Technical Supervision Committee of Laboratories and Blood Banks during Hajj, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Omar, stated that all the vehicle drivers working in the 1432-Hajj season were subjected to doping and illicit drug tests within the framework of "Yaqez" Program adopted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the Makkah Region and Madina Region. A number of 12458 drivers were examined, and 32 out of them were excluded building on the results, he added.
Dr. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Omar explained that the tests have been carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and the General Syndicate of Cars that is responsible for the transportation of pilgrims. Blood samples were taken from all drivers applying to "Bus Drivers Jobs Program" during this Hajj season. He added that the number of drivers examined in Makkah was 8913 drivers, out of whom 19 drivers had positive results, and the number of drivers examined in Madina was 3545 drivers, out of whom 13 drivers had positive results.
Dr. Al-Omar added, according to the "Yaqez" Program, applied before and during the Hajj season, random samples are taken from the drivers at the land entry ports, then a specialized database on the MOH web portal would publish the names of the drivers who have been examined and their samples showed positive results for one or more of drugs, with the aim to accelerate the flow of information to the concerned authorities to take the appropriate action. He went on to say that the database "Yaqez" is considered an important tributary for poison centers in Makkah and Madinah, aiming to ensure that the drivers, those responsible for the transportation of pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah and vice versa, are not consuming alcoholic drinks or narcotic drugs.
The Ministry of Health has launched an awareness program for 14 consecutive days in all the pilgrims' transport companies with the participation of a large number of drivers (over 10 thousands drivers) on many relevant topics, including: health and social damage caused by illicit drugs, criminal penalties for drug users, and effects of drugs on drivers, Dr. Al-Omar said.
Al-Jumoum Center for Pilgrims Grouping and Moving "Tafweej Center" (40th km on the Makkah-Madinah Road) began its tasks from 1/11/1432H (28/9/2011) to 29/11/1432H (26/10/2011), in cooperation with drug control officials in the Holy City (Makkah), a branch of the Ministry of Hajj in Makkah and the superintendent of the pilgrims' transportation. A permanent place was equipped for the center, and supported with a number of specialists and technicians working together to take blood samples from drivers and analyze to provide immediate detection of doping and psychotropic substances by test strips, Dr. Al-Omar expounded.
The Director-General of the MOH Laboratories and Blood Banks, and Head of the Technical Supervision Committee of Laboratories and Blood Banks during Hajj, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Omar, noted that the mandatory blood samples were taken from the drivers at the headquarters of 16 pilgrims' transportation companies at Al-Shumaissi and bahrah, in addition to other companies at "Al-Tawjeeh" Center at Al-Shumaissi and King Abdulaziz Airport, pointing out that the work will continue until 30/21/1432H (26/11/2011).