MNG-HA Prepares the Field Hospital
Dr. Al Knawy: The directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to remove all obstacles so that pilgrims can perform rites of pilgrimage easily
Ministry National Guard is a national entity where its military role is an integral part of its cultural role that is reflected on all the social, cultural and health dimensions.
Providing unique and advanced healthcare services directly achieves the national goals set by the founder King Abdul Aziz, may God rest his soul. National Guard established a fully integrated management that is entrusted with providing comprehensive health care at all levels, the primary, public and Specialist. Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs strived to always keep up with the world advancements regarding the latest scientific and technical achievements in this area. Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs effectively contributes in serving the pilgrims in the holy sites every year, alongside other concerned sectors. During the Hajj season, MNG-HA fully equips their sites in Makkah in advance to provide excellent medical care in an integrated manner.
H.E. Chief Executive Officer of Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Dr. Bandar Al Knawy explained that the MNG-HA’S Mina's field hospital is fully equipped and had been designed from fireproof and heat resistant fiberglass which accommodates the climatic conditions. Mina’s field hospital accommodates 40 beds in addition to a number of intensive care beds. The hospital is also equipped with the latest medical equipment and clinical supplies that will be accessible round-the-clock.
The hospital occupies 265 m2 and consists of two main in-patient sections; male and female, along with various specialized clinics, support services, dental , obstetrics and gynecology clinics. In addition, it includes a small fully equipped operating room for minor surgeries, a reception, and administrative offices. The support services includes an integrated laboratory, an X-ray room, a pharmacy and a 208 m2 staff housing.
Moreover, Dr. Bandar Al Knawy pointed out that the medical service field is the common factor between the MNG-HA and other health sectors in the Kingdom, the coordination was between the MNG-HA and government sectors such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior and others; so as to provide the best outstanding healthcare services for the pilgrims and conduct the necessary coordination especially for the medical evacuation program, where the MNG-HA participation entails 12 fully equipped teams designated for medical evacuation in case of emergency cases. Along with continuous coordination with the General Directorate of Civil Defense to transfer all medical cases that require prompt intervention to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.
Dr. Al Knawy has pointed out that fully integrated health camps were set up to provide medical services in Arafat and Muzdalifah, where Arafat Camp has 2 mobile hospital for males and females, accommodating 20 beds in addition to two mobile outpatient clinics, a pharmacy and support services. Those mobile hospitals in all the Holy Sites, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah are run by MNG-HA’s team of doctors, pharmacists, technicians and administrators, all of whom are Saudi highly trained cadres that will be working around the clock to serve the pilgrims.
A team of specialists in infectious diseases ,public health, preventive medicine and environmental health conducted an assessment trip to the field hospital in the holy sites to complete the evaluation and ensuring the availability of all equipment for infection control, the environmental health and safety of the outpatient, isolation rooms and the guests accommodation. Given the importance of the use of respiratory mask (N95) in the case of exposure to infectious diseases transmitted through the air, there has been an extra emphasis on the completion of testing the efficiency of respiratory protective mask (N95) for all health workers who will be actively in charge of the pilgrims through an additional program that has been allocated for this purpose. It was also mandatory for all Hajj health workers to take and complete the required and necessary vaccinations by reviewing the medical files through the cooperation with the Field Military Medicine Department to vaccinate all military personnel in addition to distributing awareness materials regarding the prevention of infectious diseases. In this regard, an awareness program was conducted in several languages such as Arabic, English, Urdu and French
It is worth mentioning that the mission of MNG-HA aims to providing high quality healthcare and unite all efforts to better serve the pilgrims of the Holy Mosque. In addition ensuring their safety based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Kingdom's Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and under the supervision of His Highness Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf Al Muqrin, the Minister of National Guard.