Weqaya .. Unwavering Efforts to Ensure Safety of Pilgrims

Makkah: The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) conducted various activities and services to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Hajj season 1445 AH. Weqaya prepared early for the Hajj season by developing plans to combat infectious diseases, updating relevant evidence and protocols regarding public health risks, continuously assessing risks, and working with other agencies in an integrated manner based on a comprehensive government approach. The authority decided to provide mobile infectious disease units at the second and third biosecurity levels, which have increased readiness to receive and examine contagious samples. These units are equipped with trained and specialized national staff and sufficient medical solutions necessary to produce results within specified timeframes for each examination. This service aims to enhance the Kingdom's readiness to monitor, diagnose, and investigate high-risk infectious diseases and to respond to pandemics and outbreaks of infectious diseases. Weqaya conducts monito ring field tours in the central area of the Grand Mosque and the Holy Sites to ensure the implementation of preventive and precautionary measures. The Authority also provides educational workshops and visits to the headquarters of countries' missions to educate pilgrims about necessary health procedures and to monitor public health observations such as sleeping in open areas and gatherings. This year, Weqaya updated the health guidance guide for pilgrims, prepared an awareness guide, designed a training package for Hajj workers, and, in cooperation with relevant authorities, provided multilingual awareness content for dissemination on several platforms. The Authority also sought to evaluate the interventions to measure their effectiveness and ensure the safety of pilgrims while performing Hajj rituals. It wished the pilgrims a successful, pleasant, safe, and healthy Hajj pilgrimage. Source: Saudi Press Agency