The city's health complex launches an initiative to physically rehabilitate pilgrims
The Madinah Health Cluster announced a pioneering initiative to serve pilgrims, launching a program to prepare them physically and medically under the umbrella of the "Hajj in Good Health" campaign. This strategic step aims to enhance the health and physical readiness of pilgrims, enabling them to perform Hajj rituals with ease and peace of mind. The initiative relies on providing specialized awareness and rehabilitation programs to ensure the safe and healthy performance of the rituals, aligning with the Cluster's ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims and raise their awareness of preventative measures before the start of the Hajj.
Healthcare for pilgrims: A historical legacy and continuous development
Over the decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great emphasis on the health of pilgrims, with mass gathering medicine being one of the areas in which the Kingdom has excelled globally. Historically, healthcare services provided to pilgrims have evolved from simple field clinics to a comprehensive healthcare system encompassing medical cities, mobile hospitals, and smart technologies. The initiative to physically prepare pilgrims is a natural extension of this long-standing legacy, shifting care from treatment during Hajj to proactive and preventative care before the rituals begin. This reflects the maturity and continuous development of the Saudi healthcare system to meet the needs of the millions of Muslims who flock to the Kingdom annually.
Strategic dimensions and impact of the initiative locally and internationally
This innovative initiative has a far-reaching positive impact. Locally, improving the physical fitness of pilgrims helps alleviate the burden on hospitals and emergency centers in Mecca, Medina, and the holy sites, allowing medical staff to focus on critical cases. Regionally and internationally, the return of pilgrims to their home countries in good health after performing a physically demanding pilgrimage enhances the Kingdom's global reputation in crowd management and sets a benchmark for preventative healthcare. Empowering pilgrims to understand their physical capabilities and how to cope with environmental challenges represents a significant shift in the concept of public health.
Highlights of the quality services in the Hajj physical rehabilitation program
The Madinah Health Cluster explained that the initiative includes a comprehensive package of high-quality services. These services include measuring muscle strength and flexibility, assessing the likelihood of falls among the elderly, and programs aimed at improving respiratory efficiency. The cluster also noted that the initiative provides crucial practical advice, such as how to choose appropriate footwear for long walks, and intensive awareness campaigns on managing heat stress to prevent common injuries while traveling between the holy sites in high temperatures.
Steps to benefit from the initiative via the “Sehhaty” app
The group revealed that this service is provided through carefully selected primary healthcare centers to facilitate access for beneficiaries, namely the Shuran, Baqdou, and Bani Salama centers. The group explained that appointments can be easily booked through the "Sehhaty" smart application. The report stated that this step is an extension of the proactive care strategy adopted by the group to ensure the Hajj pilgrimage is performed in good health and safety, and in accordance with the highest health quality standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thus confirming the wise leadership's commitment to harnessing all capabilities to serve Islam and Muslims.
