The spokesman of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Khalid bin Muhammad Marghalani, has reassured citizens and residents that health and epidemiological follow-up reports have highlighted that the health status of Umrah performers is good, praise be to Allah, and no cases of epidemic diseases nor coronavirus have been recorded among Umrah performers.
Dr. Marghalani has pointed out that the MOH, represented by Makkah Health Affairs General Directorate and under the direct follow-up of His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, has been implementing an integrated plan to provide health care for Umrah performers since the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is noteworthy that the Ministry has harnessed all its physical and human potentials in order to serve the Umrah performers around the clock through its qualified medical staff and supplies available in its seven hospitals, King Abdullah Medical City, as well as primary health care centers and health care centers located inside and around the Holy Mosque in Makkah.
Furthermore, Dr. Marghalani went on adding that the emergency cases among Umrah performers who have reviewed the sacred capital's hospitals over the period from 1st to 12th Ramadan this year, reached 7058 cases; most of them were suffering from heat exhaustion and chronic diseases, while the total number of cases who have reviewed the outpatient clinics reached 429 cases, and the hospitalized cases reached 170, most of them have been recovered and left hospitals.
It is noteworthy that the MOH has provided health conditions for those flocking to perform Umrah and Hajj this year (1434H). These conditions included a recommendation of postponing the performance of Umrah and Hajj this year for the elderly people (more than 65 years) and patients suffering from chronic diseases such as the diseases of heart, kidney, respiratory system, diabetes, congenital and acquired immune deficiency, in addition to patients suffering from tumors, as well as pregnant women and children (less than 12 years); in an endeavor to maintain their safety.
On the other hand, the MOH Media and Health Awareness Information Center has provided a number of tips and medical guidelines for Umrah performers, including the necessity of taking an adequate amount of drugs in case of suffering from chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney diseases), avoiding the direct exposure to the sunlight, using umbrellas for the prevention against heat exhaustion, maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places to prevent incidence of infectious diseases. That is to be added to the necessity of visiting the nearest health care center when feeling tired or fatigue during the performance of Umrah.