The expansion of the emergency hospital in Mina has been completed, adding 400 beds | Saudi Arabia News
Kadana Development and Investment Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, announced a significant achievement: the completion of the second phase of the Mina Emergency Hospital, in close collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Health. This strategic step is part of ongoing efforts to enhance medical preparedness and improve the efficiency of the healthcare system to serve pilgrims during Hajj, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to providing the highest standards of healthcare.
A historical development in healthcare for pilgrims
Over the decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great emphasis on developing healthcare infrastructure in the Holy Sites. Historically, medical services for pilgrims began with small clinics and mobile ambulance centers, evolving today into integrated medical cities and specialized hospitals equipped with the latest global technologies. Developing the infrastructure in Mina, in particular, presents a significant engineering and medical challenge due to the limited space and the immense human density within a few days. Therefore, investing in sustainable healthcare projects reflects a profound vision for ensuring the safety of the millions of pilgrims who flock annually to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
Details of the new expansion at the Mina Emergency Hospital
The second phase of the 1447 AH Hajj season witnessed significant construction development at the Mina Emergency Hospital, with the addition of three floors and a vital annex, bringing the total building area to 18,000 square meters. To ensure the smooth flow and integration of services, field connectivity was enhanced by linking the new hospital to the Mina Emergency Hospital (1) via a dedicated bridge for medical staff and patient transfers. This massive project doubled the hospital's bed capacity to 400, complementing the first phase, which was built on an area of 5,300 square meters with a capacity of 200 beds during the 1446 AH Hajj season.
Local and international impact of strengthening the health system
This medical achievement has far-reaching dimensions and implications. Locally, the project helps alleviate pressure on Makkah's central hospitals and enhances the efficiency of rapid response to emergencies within the holy sites. Regionally and internationally, this development sends a reassuring message to millions of Muslims worldwide and to the medical missions accompanying pilgrims, confirming the Kingdom's ability to manage large gatherings (mass gathering medicine) according to the highest World Health Organization standards. This Saudi excellence in field medicine and crowd management has become a model studied globally.
Improving medical services and achieving the goals of Vision 2030
The project primarily aims to enhance the healthcare system's capacity to receive emergency cases and provide urgent medical care efficiently and quickly, while ensuring the availability of specialized services near pilgrim gathering points. Through this development, Kadana seeks to raise the level of healthcare security and support the integration of medical services provided during peak times. This project embodies the commitment to leading the sustainable development of the Holy Sites and improving the quality of life, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program.
In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Health, Mr. Fahd Al-Jalajel, affirmed that the project represents a qualitative addition to the healthcare system and reflects the high level of integration between government agencies and the Kadana Company. He commended the completion of the second phase, which doubled the capacity to 400 beds, thus enhancing the healthcare sector's readiness to handle emergencies with high efficiency and supporting rapid response and the provision of specialized medical services near pilgrims' locations, enabling them to perform their rituals with peace of mind and ease.
