Madinah: 17,000 inspection tours during Ramadan to ensure the safety of visitors
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, represented by the Madinah Region Municipality, announced the intensification of its field and operational preparations for the holy month of Ramadan 1445 AH, through a comprehensive plan aimed at raising the level of service readiness and ensuring the provision of the best services to the residents and visitors of the Prophet's City (peace be upon him). The plan includes conducting more than 17,000 inspection tours of commercial and health establishments to ensure a safe and healthy environment during the holy month.
The importance of Medina during Ramadan and its historical context
Medina holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, as it is the city of the Prophet and home to the Prophet's Mosque. During Ramadan, its importance is amplified as millions of pilgrims and visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad flock to the city to pray in the Prophet's Mosque and the Rawdah (the area between the Prophet's grave and his pulpit), and to spend the nights of this holy month in a uniquely spiritual atmosphere. This massive influx places considerable strain on municipal services and infrastructure, necessitating proactive and well-planned strategies to ensure the comfort and safety of all. These efforts are a continuation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historical role in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, a cornerstone of its policy since its founding.
Details of the operational and control plan
The Secretariat explained that the operational plan involves more than 5,700 personnel, including employees and workers, supported by a comprehensive fleet of over 1,230 vehicles and equipment. The plan's oversight component focuses on intensifying field inspections to ensure compliance with health and regulatory requirements. More than 13,000 inspections will be conducted on public health-related activities, and approximately 4,000 inspections will be carried out on commercial establishments. The plan also includes collecting nearly 8,000 samples of food and water for testing in accredited laboratories to verify their safety and conformity to standards. This is all part of a comprehensive oversight system based on precise performance indicators to guarantee the quality of services provided.
Expected impact on public health and the local economy
These intensive inspection campaigns aim to achieve several strategic objectives. Locally, they contribute to protecting the health and safety of consumers, both citizens and visitors, and reducing cases of food poisoning and foodborne illnesses, especially given the increased demand for restaurants and food outlets during Ramadan. These inspections also enhance consumer confidence in the local market and ensure that businesses adhere to pricing and product quality standards. Regionally and internationally, the success of these plans reflects positively on the Kingdom's ability to manage major religious seasons efficiently and effectively, reinforcing its position as a safe and reliable religious destination. This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve the experience of pilgrims.
High emergency preparedness and continuity of services
In addition to monitoring, the municipality has enhanced the readiness of its emergency teams by activating 12 contingency plans to ensure a rapid response to emergencies such as heavy rain or sudden breakdowns, and to guarantee the continued provision of municipal services with high efficiency during peak times. The ministry affirmed that it will continue its monitoring and field operations throughout the holy month of Ramadan, with ongoing tracking of performance indicators and periodic assessments of implementation efficiency, all aimed at improving the quality of life in Madinah and enhancing the experience of its visitors during this blessed month.
