The Medical Unit of the Qatari Haj Mission is all set to serve the pilgrims this year, an official statement from the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs said. Dr Khaled Abdul Hadi, head of the unit, said his team will work around the clock to provide the necessary healthcare to the pilgrims in Makkah. A specialised team of doctors will accompany the pilgrims from Qatar.
“Qatar is keen to provide all the necessary capabilities, equipment, medicines and treatments for Qatari pilgrims with specialised doctors, nurses, paramedics and pharmacists accompanying the Qatari Haj delegation,” he said. To provide high-level health services that guarantee the safety and health of the country’s pilgrims the team will work in co-operation with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
“Qatar provides a high-quality life for all its people and excels in providing the best in healthcare, security and public safety making the country among the ranks of developed countries and one of the best countries for family life,” he said.
The mission of the medical unit is to provide complete health care to the country’s pilgrims, accompany the pilgrims and intervene quickly when needed. The pilgrims will also be given the necessary vaccinations in health care centres before the pilgrimage. There will be also rooms designated for hypnosis, observation and isolation in cases that require medical isolation for any patient. There will be separate clinics for men and women.
He said that the medical staff accompanying the Qatari Haj delegation are among the most skilled specialist doctors. These include family doctors, epidemiologists and emergency doctors in addition to a nursing team, paramedics, and pharmacists.
At the headquarters of the Qatari Pilgrims Affairs Office in Makkah, the unit has created an entire floor for isolation with separate spaces for men and women pilgrims. Also, there is a special clinic to diagnose patients in which the triage will determine whether they need immediate isolation or physical treatment. “For cases that need to be provided with treatment, whether in men’s or women’s clinics, we have also prepared another floor for clinics, in addition to allocating a third floor at the bottom of the building for quick inspection,” he said.
He added that vaccinations are available in all primary health centres and pilgrims can take vaccinations from Saturday at any of the nearby health centres. He urged the pilgrims to get vaccines within no less than 14 days of travel asking the pilgrims to be cautious and prevent infectious diseases and bring enough clothing to avoid skin and infectious diseases.
He urged the pilgrims with diabetes to have a small bag containing ice and insulin needles or a small refrigerator to store the medicine and maintain the effectiveness of the insulin and to have a special bag for all the medications and treatments. A preliminary meeting has been held to assess the needs and preparations.
Dr Khaled Abdul Hadi, head of the Qatari Haj Mission Medical Unit
