Doha, June 14 (QNA) - The Head of the Medical Unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi confirmed the readiness of the medical services of the Hajj mission, which will work around the clock to provide the necessary health care for the pilgrims of the State of Qatar in Makkah and in the holy sites for the year 1443 AH.
During an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) Dr. Abdul Hadi said that the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Public Health, is keen to provide all capabilities, equipment, medicines and treatments necessary to provide high-level health services that guarantee the safety and health of the pilgrims, so that they can perform Hajj in the best conditions.
Regarding the tasks and specializations of the medical unit during the Hajj season, Dr. Abdul Hadi explained that the mission is to provide comprehensive health care, starting with the arrival of the pilgrim to the Holy Land in Makkah, in addition to accompanying the pilgrims wherever they go, and working on rapid intervention when needed.
He pointed out that clinics for men and women have been provided, and rooms designated for observation and isolation in cases that require medical isolation for any patient, whether in Makkah or the holy sites in Mina, Arafa and Muzdalifah, stressing that the medical unit crews strive to provide the necessary health services and first aid according to the highest standards.
Head of the Medical Unit noted that the medical staff accompanying the Qatari Hajj delegation are among the most skilled specialized doctors, including family physicians, epidemiologists, and emergency physicians, in addition to a nursing team, paramedics and pharmacists.
On the measures that the medical unit will take this year in light of the current exceptional health conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Abdul Hadi said that the medical unit is aware of the major challenges during this year's season, so it has prepared well by establishing an entire floor for isolation at the headquarters of the Office of Pilgrims Affairs of the State of Qatar in Makkah, with a section for men and another for women, as well as a floor for clinics, in addition to allocating a third floor at the bottom of the building for a quick inspection; To indicate whether the pilgrim or the patient needs temporary isolation.
Regarding the coordination mechanism between the medical unit of the Hajj mission and the medical units in the Qatari Hajj campaigns, and to ensure that they meet the standards of the health and safety of every Qatari pilgrim, he pointed out that the medical unit of the Qatari Hajj mission fully supervises the medical units affiliated with the campaigns, provides them with all the necessary valleys, and works according to the protocol determined by the medical unit of the Hajj mission.
He added that communication with the campaigns and all Qatari pilgrims in Makkah will be available and easy via the hotline, which works around the clock, and that medical personnel will be constantly present among the pilgrims to serve all Qatari campaigns in the holy sites of Mina, Arafa and Muzdalifah.
Dr. Abdel Hadi stressed that the medical unit will be ready to deal with any sick case that needs rapid intervention, whether by ambulance or the doctor's immediate examination of the patient, highlighting the importance of the role of the communication unit of the Qatari Hajj mission, which will also work around the clock to ensure communication between the Office of Pilgrims Affairs of the State of Qatar in Makkah and all Qatari Hajj campaigns.
On whether there is cooperation to provide medical services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve the pilgrims of Qatar in emergency cases, Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi said that the Medical Unit of the Qatar Pilgrims Affairs Office signed a contract with Al-Ahli Saudi Private Hospital, which is located near the residence of Qatari pilgrims in order to treat cases that have to be hospitalized.
He explained that pilgrims will have priority for treatment at Al-Ahli Saudi Private Hospital, pointing out that there is coordination and cooperation with other hospitals in Mina in order to ensure the health and safety of every Qatari pilgrim throughout their stay.
With regard to the work of the medical unit during the pilgrims’ performance of the rites of Hajj, Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi pointed out that there is complete and continuous coordination through the communication unit and the hotline, stressing that all the Medical Unit staff in the Qatar Pilgrims Affairs Office will be available around the clock, wherever the Qatari pilgrims are.
In response to the procedures and instructions that the pilgrim should follow before traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the return to the homeland, Dr. Abdul Hadi stressed that every pilgrim must obtain important vaccinations for the Hajj season, the first of which is the seasonal influenza vaccine, and the second, a vaccine against meningitis.
Dr. Abdul Hadi said that every pilgrim who suffers from chronic illnesses should see their doctor and take adequate medication for the duration of the Hajj.
He explained that the vaccinations are available in all health centers in the Primary Health Care Corporation, and the pilgrim can take the vaccinations starting today at any of the health centers, as they must obtain these vaccinations at least 14 days before their travels in order for them to work well.
He noted that every pilgrim must take a PCR test 72 hours before travelling to ensure their safety.
Dr. Abdul Hadi stressed that during the Hajj, it is necessary to take precaution and prevent infectious diseases, and wear a mask inside and outside the headquarters, explaining that the Hajj season is crowded with large numbers of pilgrims from different countries.
He also called for caution and to avoid sunstrokes, as well as to drink lots of water and fluids continuously. It is also preferable for the pilgrim to take an umbrella for protection from the sun's rays while performing the rituals in order to preserve their safety, he added.
Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi urged every pilgrim with diabetes to have a small bag containing ice and insulin needles, or a small refrigerator to store medicine and maintain the effectiveness of insulin, and to have a special bag for all the medicines and treatments they need throughout the Hajj season.
He indicated that a coordination meeting was held on Monday with the Hajj mini-committee in the Red Crescent, and a meeting with members of the medical unit in the Qatari Hajj mission, to clarify all the instructions that they must abide by at the workplace in Mecca, as well as in the holy sites during the performance of the Hajj rituals, and to familiarize themselves with the medical unit plan and work protocol. (QNA)