KSA MOH opens health control centres to limit import, outbreak of communicable diseases

The KSA Ministry of Health (MOH) has allocated 15 centres for Hajj pilgrims’ health control at the kingdom’s land, sea and air ports to protect the country against the importation and outbreak of communicable diseases. The centres run around the clock and became operational at the beginning of Dhul Qa'adah (early August 2016).

The health control centres ensure that all pilgrims coming to KSA, especially from countries with high epidemiological rates of some diseases, have their international travel documents certified, including that for vaccination in their countries. All means of transport are also inspected and their compliance with health requirements is verified. The relevant authorities examine all food items which pilgrims have brought with them. These centres also conduct health education, including the distribution of educational brochures and broadcasting awareness programmes in various languages on display screens at lounges.

Ambulances are on standby to transfer cases and provide them with advanced healthcare at the nearest hospital. Isolation rooms have been set up to house suspected cases at the health centres before transfer.

Earlier in August the MOH strengthened crisis management mechanisms in partnership with the British Bournemouth University, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the British National Health Service (NHS). Laws and procedures for crisis management were discussed with the university; an assessment of health risks and of the communication system were performed in conjunction with the WHO, while the NHS evaluated the pre-hospital triage system. The Hajj Emergency Committee has organised activities into regions, with the three regions being the central area, sites in Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah; and Makkah.

In Hajj 2015 MOH health facilities provided services to more than 405,542 patients among Hajj pilgrims, in addition to screening more than 1,300,000 pilgrims coming through 15 health control centres at land, air, and maritime entry points. During the same Hajj season, the MOH conducted 22 open-heart operations, 668 cardiac catheterisation operations, 2,213 dialysis sessions, and 31 gastrointestinal endoscopy sessions.

Ministry of Health enforcing strict health requirements through ports of entry in KSA

The Ministry of Health (MOH), KSA is enforcing strict health requirements on arrivals for this year's Hajj, via land, sea and air as well as on workers at Jeddah Islamic Port. Measures include examining all arrivals to ensure they are in good health, as well as checking their vaccination cards, and giving them preventive treatment against the cerebral meningitis pathogen.

The Director of the Health Surveillance Center at Jeddah Islamic Port, Dr Adel bin Muhammad Turkestani, said that the port is expected to receive about 46,000 persons during this year's Hajj, 1436H, of whom 15,000 are pilgrims and 2,000 seasonal workers. It is projected that about 4,000 persons, whether pilgrims, passengers, sailors or workers at the port will receive therapeutic services at the centre. 

He said that work teams have been formed, covering all medical, preventive and technical specialties, totalling more than 100 specialists for responsibilities at the  Ship Release Technical Office, Medical Center at the Arrival Terminal and Emergency Clinic at the Departure Terminal, as well as in committees handling health awareness, environment health, administrative and technical followups and documentation of all activities through the Information and Statistics Committee.

Measures for sailors include preventing them from leaving the port until after a doctor sees them to make sure of their safety from infectious diseases. Rooms have been allocated for isolation of cases suspected with epidemic or infectious diseases. Also, the Center is fully ready to do on-site radiological testing, if needed, Dr Adel said.

KSA's MOH calls for vaccination of senior officials

KSA's Ministry of Health (MOH) has led a drive to vaccinate senior officials against meningitis and flu ahead of the Hajj season.

The initiative, led by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Health for Therapeutic Services, Dr. Tarif Al-‘Ama, saw senior officials take anti-meningitis and anti-flu vaccines in early September. Dr Tarif called upon all MOH employees participating in the Hajj season to be vaccinated to prevent against disease. He also said that the vaccines are available and safe.

Those who have been vaccinated include the Assistant Deputy Minister for Hospitals Affairs, Dr Nahar Al-‘Azmi, the Supervisor General of Home Medicine, Dr Ali Maqboul Al-Ghamdi, the Director General of Specialized Centers and Visiting Physicians, Dr Abdullah Al-Wad‘i, and the Director General of Radiology and Applied Services, Dr Ali Al-Musned.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog posts about the MOH's preparations for the Hajj here and here