Haj 2024 a success: No disease outbreaks
The 2024 Haj season concluded successfully, with the Saudi Ministry of Health confirming the implementation of its health plans and reporting no outbreaks of diseases or other public health threats during the pilgrimage.
Minister of Health Fahd Al Jalajel emphasised that despite the high temperatures and the large number of pilgrims, there were no significant health threats.
The ministry allocated extensive resources to ensure the well-being of pilgrims, including 189 hospitals, health centres, and mobile clinics with a combined capacity of over 6,500 beds.
More than 40,000 medical, technical, and administrative staff, along with volunteers, provided care, supported by over 370 ambulances, seven air ambulances, and a robust logistics network.
During the Haj, the ministry served over 390,000 pilgrims, performing more than 28 open-heart surgeries, 720 cardiac catheterisations, and 1,169 dialysis sessions. The Seha Virtual Hospital provided over 5,800 virtual consultations, mainly for heatrelated illnesses, enabling prompt intervention and preventing a surge in cases.
Al Jalajel commended the collaborative efforts of various health care entities.
Dozens die of heat
Saudi television has reported that extreme temperatures during this Haj season, reaching up to 51.8 degrees Celsius, have led to the deaths of many pilgrims.
The Tunis Africa News Agency confirmed that 23 pilgrims from Tunisia had died while Jordan lost 41 pilgrims. Eleven Iranian pilgrims had died, and 24 others were hospitalised.Le Monde newspaper cited that 136 Indonesian citizens had also died.
During the Haj, the ministry served over 390,000 pilgrims, performing more than 28 openheart surgeries, 720 cardiac catheterisations, and 1,169 dialysis sessions.