MAKKAH — Deputy Emir of Makkah and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Saud bin Mishaal conducted on Monday a field visit to assess the readiness of facilities at the holy sites to receive pilgrims for the upcoming annual pilgrimage of Hajj.
The deputy emir was accompanied by Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah; Musaed Al-Dawood, mayor of Makkah; Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, director of Public Security; and a number of senior officials from relevant agencies.
The field visit started with a visit to the Shumaisi checkpoint on the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway. Prince Saud listened to a briefing on the checkpoint, which includes 16 lanes equipped with the latest smart technologies. It also houses administrative offices for highway patrol, a building dedicated to 10 government agencies, and staff accommodations. The checkpoint facilitates the movement of vehicles and eases the arrival of pilgrims to Makkah during peak seasons.
Prince Saud was briefed on the plan aimed at facilitating the arrival of pilgrims, the work of the reporting and monitoring unit, and the mechanism for handling and processing reports.
Following this, the deputy emir proceeded to the holy sites where he visited Mina Emergency Hospital 2, which covers an area exceeding 5,300 square meters. The hospital has a capacity of 200 beds. The hospital is one of the fastest hospitals completed globally in terms of construction and operation, and it operates with high efficiency around the clock.
Prince Saud listened to a briefing on the field hospitals, of which the number exceeds 15, established in cooperation with various health and security agencies. The health system has increased its operational capacity to more than 20,000 beds, with the participation of more than 52,000 healthcare practitioners and staff serving pilgrims. In addition, 25 urgent care centers are operating across the holy sites. The health sector has also been supported by more than 900 ambulances, 11 medical evacuation aircraft, and 71 field emergency points during Hajj.
Prince Saud then visited the Holy Sites Monitoring and Control Center, which manages the operational processes for water distribution at the holy sites. The center is equipped with over 4,000 sensors and monitoring devices to track operational indicators and make proactive decisions. The center oversees and monitors 27 operational zones within the holy sites, ensuring seamless operations and rapid response to field events.
The deputy emir’s tour also included a visit to the Tasleem Center, operated by the Kidana Development Company. He received a briefing on the center, which serves as a unified digital platform ensuring speed and accuracy of procedures, in addition to providing a secure data management environment, thus contributing to increased camp readiness. The center developed a comprehensive website, launched a smartphone application, established a central database, and implemented an advanced information security system.
Prince Saud concluded his tour by chairing a meeting of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah at the emirate office in Muzdalifah. The meeting included a review of the operational plans of various agencies, methods for integrating roles to serve pilgrims, and the readiness of facilities and services at the holy sites.
Source: Saudi Gazette