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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from European Council President Antonio Costa, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The pair discussed enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and European Union countries.
They also tackled a number of regional and international issues and the efforts made to achieve security and stability.
MINA: With the number of worshippers approaching two million, pilgrims on Wednesday arrived in Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah, preparing for the most important day of Hajj — the Day of Arafat — on June 5.
These pilgrims are following the steps of Prophet Mohammed by spending Tarwiyah Day in Mina on Wednesday this year, making their final preparations for the Standing at Arafat, the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage, tomorrow.
In compliance with directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, various service sectors mobilized their capabilities to help the pilgrims perform Hajj rituals in tranquility and peace.
With more than 1.4 million pilgrims confirmed to have arrived from outside the Kingdom, the pilgrims’ movements into Mina proceeded smoothly in accordance with a comprehensive traffic plan. The plan covered all main routes and was supported by aerial security surveillance to ensure the orderly progression of this critical phase of the pilgrimage.
In weather conditions of about 41°C, the ministry urged all pilgrims to familiarize themselves with its hospitals and medical centers should they require health assistance, wherever they are in the holy sites, emphasizing that everything is available to ensure their health and safety.
On the first day in Mina, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, pilgrims typically spend the night there in preparation for their journey to Arafat the next day. With their prayers shortened, they devote their time to supplicating Allah and chanting the Talbiyah — a proclamation of their intention to perform the pilgrimage solely for the sake of the Almighty. This is traditionally recited aloud and in groups upon entering the state of ihram.
The relevant security and health authorities, alongside other government and private organisations, had earlier intensified their plans and preparations to ensure the smooth performance of Hajj rituals, all under the direct supervision and close monitoring of the Saudi leadership.
Khalid Al-Tala, the spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Health, provided key updates during a press conference on June 3, highlighting several pioneering health initiatives launched for the current Hajj season.
Among the most notable is the use of drone technology to accelerate the delivery of medical aid to remote areas — an innovative approach the ministry says is the first of its kind globally.
Al-Tala said that the current health status of pilgrims was reassuring, with no recorded cases of epidemics or major health concerns reported to date.
As of the seventh day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the ministry has delivered more than 98,000 health services, including emergency care, surgical procedures, and intensive treatments.
He further announced the establishment of three additional field hospitals, providing a combined capacity of 1,200 beds. The ministry has also set up 71 emergency response points, deployed 900 ambulances, and added 11 medical evacuation aircraft to support healthcare operations during the pilgrimage.
Advanced medical services have also been activated, including the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology and virtual health consultations. The ministry’s 937 call center operates round the clock in numerous languages to assist pilgrims.
Since the beginning of the Hajj season, Al-Tala said, more than 1.4 million pilgrims have benefited from preventive health services at entry points, provided in coordination with various medical mission clinics.
The spokesman said that their medical teams have successfully performed 16 open-heart surgeries, 148 cardiac catheterizations, and handled 62 cases of heat exhaustion.
He added that, with the participation of more than 50,000 medical and technical personnel, bed capacity has been increased by 60 percent compared with last year.
Speaking to Arab News, Fatima Al-Sayed, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that the organization and services provided by the Saudi authorities in Mina are truly commendable.
“From the moment we arrived, we have felt a strong sense of care and preparedness. The tents are well equipped, clean and air-conditioned, ensuring our comfort in the heat,” she said.
Al-Sayed added that medical services are readily available, security personnel are visible and helpful, and food and water are distributed efficiently.
“The crowd management and transportation arrangements are smooth, especially given the large number of pilgrims. We are deeply grateful for the efforts made to ensure our safety and to help us perform our rituals with ease and peace of mind.” she said.
Situated between Makkah and Muzdalifah, Mina lies about seven kilometers northeast of the Grand Mosque. It is part of the Haram, or sacred boundary, and is encircled by mountains to the north and south. It is uninhabited throughout the year, except during the Hajj season, when it becomes a focal point of the pilgrimage.
On the Makkah side, Mina is bordered by the Jamarat area, while on the opposite side it adjoins the Valley of Muhassir.
Muhassir gets its name from a significant historical incident — it is believed to be where the elephant of Abraha the Abyssinian halted during his failed attempt to destroy the Kaaba around the year 570 — an event known in Islamic tradition as the Year of the Elephant, which coincides with the birth year of the Prophet Muhammad.
MAKKAH: In a healthcare milestone for pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has deployed a mobile stroke unit for the first time at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during this year’s Hajj.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Harthi, an emergency medicine consultant and executive director of Ajyad Hospital, told Arab News that the unit was a state-of-the-art ambulance designed specifically for stroke cases, aiming to reduce the time between symptom onset and treatment — without the need for hospital transport.
“The unit can quickly access difficult locations and provide immediate care on-site, improving recovery and saving lives,” he said.
It is equipped with a CT scanner, an intravenous contrast system and clot-dissolving medications. A remote communication system with high-speed internet and a 360-degree camera allows consultants to monitor patients in real time from anywhere.
The team at the mobile stroke unit comprises a neurologist, cardiologist, respiratory therapist, emergency nurse, radiologist and paramedic.
The unit is the result of a collaboration between Health Holding Co., via the Makkah Health Cluster, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, with support from the Ministry of Health.
Al-Harthi said that the unit was designed to treat one patient at a time, with diagnosis and treatment typically completed within 15 minutes. It has already proven effective in several cases.
He shared an example of a 60-year-old Ugandan pilgrim who recently arrived at Al-Haram Emergency Hospital with slurred speech and one-sided weakness. The pilgrim had collapsed inside the Grand Mosque due to a hemorrhage, prompting an immediate response.
The patient was transferred to the mobile unit, where imaging was done and clot-dissolving treatment was administered. His condition improved within minutes.
“The patient was later moved to King Abdulaziz Hospital for intensive care, and within two days he showed remarkable recovery and expressed a desire to continue his pilgrimage,” Al-Harthi said. “This highlights the importance of timely intervention in preserving brain function.”
He praised the Ministry of Health and the Makkah Health Cluster for introducing this advanced technology during Hajj, crediting its success to strong coordination among government agencies.
The unit was deployed to Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital on Tuesday as part of a broader strategy to ensure top-quality medical care for pilgrims, allowing them to complete their rituals safely and comfortably.
Every year, tens of thousands of Hajj pilgrims benefit from services provided by health centers and hospitals at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia deploys about 50,000 healthcare and other professionals to work 24 hours a day during Islam’s most important gathering.
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday.
An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9.
Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims’ commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations.
The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as “messengers of Syria” and show a good example during the Hajj.
Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
RIYADH: The Ministry of Defense has launched a mobile field hospital for the first time at the holy sites to boost healthcare services during the Hajj.
The hospital will provide comprehensive and high-quality medical services, the ministry said on Wednesday.
“The Joint Forces Command has harnessed all facilities and health services to ensure that the guests of God perform the Hajj pilgrimage with ease (and) in good health,” the ministry added.
The state-of-the-art facility comprises 29 trailers and 26 modules that house hospital components, including the main entrance, connecting corridors, emergency exits, and essential services.
It includes inpatient wards with a 50-bed capacity, fully equipped pharmacy, radiology unit, medical laboratory, and specialized clinics.
It also features a surgical operating room with a recovery and sterilization wing, intensive care and observation units, and an emergency department.
The hospital reflects the vital role of the Ministry of Defense in serving pilgrims and boosting the health infrastructure at the holy sites, the ministry added.
The ministry’s General Directorate for Health Services said Tuesday it is ready to implement an integrated medical plan to support the Ministry of Health.
This plan encompasses 36 health centers across the holy sites, with a combined capacity of more than 1,000 beds.
There are 1,791 health and administrative personnel deployed at fixed and field hospitals, emergency centers, and specialized clinics in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
ARAFAT: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority carried out an emergency air medical evacuation in Arafat on Wednesday, as part of its broader efforts to enhance readiness during the Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The operation was launched after an emergency call was received by the SRCA’s central operations room.
Ground and air ambulance teams were immediately dispatched to the scene in coordination with relevant health authorities, SPA added.
The patient was stabilized on-site and transported by medical evacuation aircraft to a designated hospital, following direct coordination with the hospital’s medical team and the provision of all necessary medical details.
SRCA spokesman Dr. Taimur Shukrullah Jan said the mission was part of a broader integrated system designed to improve emergency response across the holy sites.
He noted that medical evacuation aircraft are crucial in reducing response times, particularly in areas of high population density or restricted mobility.
“The authority is harnessing all its human and technical resources to serve pilgrims, in line with its humanitarian and national mission,” Jan said. “Our ground and air ambulance teams are operating around the clock to deliver urgent care where and when it’s needed.”
The SRCA’s air ambulance service for the Hajj season comprises 11 aircraft deployed across 13 strategic landing sites in Makkah and the holy sites.
More than 120 trained personnel are working to ensure rapid intervention and high-quality emergency services for pilgrims, SPA reported.
