Tuesday, August 8, 2017

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Health has set up an advanced sunstroke prevention center in Mina with 216 beds and 208-water-spray cooling fans as part of its efforts to treat pilgrims hit by sweltering sun during this Haj season and safeguard their health.

Ahmed Abdussalam, director of healthcare, said Hajis as well as employees and officials engaged in Haj operation must take precautionary measures against possible sunstroke, adding that it could cause various types of skin cancer, sunburns and allergic conditions.

“Different methods must be adopted to protect Hajis and others from sunstroke including application of special creams, use of umbrellas and taking large amounts of water, covering heads and wearing light clothes,” he said, while stressing the need to use air-conditioners inside the tents in Mina and Arafat.

Speaking about sunstroke symptoms, Abdussalam said they include excess heat of body, weakness, tiredness and muscle cramps. “Pilgrims hit by sunstroke will suffer from overheat, sunburns, dizziness, headache, reddish skin, speedy heartbeat and dryness,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the ministry has stepped up preparations for the massive Haj operation to extend health services to more than two million pilgrims who come from different parts of the world.

The government has readied 25 hospitals in Makkah and holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa and deployed 29,000 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff on Haj duty. It has also readied 180 ambulance vehicles to transport sick Hajis to hospitals and health centers.

About 100 ambulance vehicles have been equipped with advanced medical facilities to serve as intensive care units, an informed source at the ministry told Al-Watan Arabic daily. A total of 32 big ambulances will be used for medical evacuation, 13 ambulances to deal with emergency situations and 10 vehicles at entry points, especially at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Two big ambulance vehicles will be stationed in Madinah while eight vehicles will be kept near the central region of Makkah to handle emergency cases.

The ministry has readied more than 5,000 beds at hospitals in Makkah and other holy sites, of which 500 beds have been allocated for intensive care and 550 beds for emergency. It will operate 155 permanent and seasonal healthcare centers during the Haj pilgrimage.

Source: http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/514684/SAUDI-ARABIA/Ministry-of-Health