The Ministry of Health (MOH) has intensified its preparations for dealing with heat stress and heat-related illnesses expected to occur during this year's Hajj season, 1440H., which coincides with extreme heat. MOH has geared up its health facilities in Makkah, Madinah and holy sites to deal with and treat heat stress and sunstroke cases. Likewise, a considerable number of spraying fans have been supplied, as they have proven effective in reducing temperature, and heat exhaustion and sunstroke cases.
According to MOH, many training courses and workshop have been held for field staff in such facilities to enable them to handle heat exhaustion and sunstroke cases, and means of transporting them.
"Coordination has been made with the concerned bodies to implement awareness and educational programs for all pilgrims and Umrah performers about the best ways to avoid heat stress, through pilgrim affairs offices and different means of transportation in different languages. An awareness program has been developed for both local and foreign pilgrims explaining how to deal with heat stress and other heat-related illnesses" adds MOH.