RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has inaugurated a 100-bed field hospital in Arafat to enhance emergency medical services for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The facility, operated by the Ministry’s General Administration of Medical Services, is equipped with advanced medical technologies and staffed by specialized teams to provide rapid response care.
During the visit, the minister also launched a smart health bracelet system designed for security personnel. The technology allows real-time monitoring of vital signs and sends automatic alerts to command centers, boosting overall medical preparedness.
Prince Abdulaziz attended a ceremony honoring Hajj Security Forces and observed field exercises demonstrating operational readiness. These included specialized vehicles, aviation units, and crowd management systems.
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, Director of Public Security, praised the leadership's support in ensuring the safety of pilgrims, emphasizing the success of inter-agency coordination efforts.
The minister also reviewed infrastructure developments at the holy sites. These included the second phase of the Mashaer pedestrian pathway, which features eco-friendly rubber flooring to improve comfort and reduce heat, and new shading and cooling systems installed at Namirah Mosque.
His tour concluded with an inspection of Mina’s upgraded emergency hospital, which has expanded urgent care capabilities and meets international medical standards.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Hajj Media Operations Center alongside Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary. They received briefings on unified media coverage and toured the Hajj Window and Transformation Exhibition, which showcases the contributions of 11 public and private sector entities.
