Arafat, August 10, 2019, SPA -- Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said that the health situation of pilgrims is reassuring and no cases of epidemics have been recorded and that the plans implemented in the past period in coordination with countries to ensure the safety of their pilgrims, especially infectious diseases, are accordingly. The Minister also said that as directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to provide the best health care for pilgrims, we are preparing for long periods before hajj to equip a number of hospitals, as we have 25 hospitals in Holy Sites, Makkah and Madinah with more than 5000 beds to serve pilgrims. We have around 30,000 people to serve pilgrims, in addition to great preparations in the holy sites, and in Arafat Holy Site, we have 4 hospitals working only today to provide the best services and care for pilgrims. We also have mobile clinics that provide services on site directly, and we have more than 100 mobile clinics that are close to gatherings of pilgrims to provide emergency services urgently for those in need. Minister Dr. Al-Rabiah said that no cases of infectious diseases within pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom have been recorded. He praised the role being played by volunteers in serving pilgrims and contributing to the implementation of the Ministry of Health's plans during this year's hajj season 1440AH by working together with medical staff in hospitals of holy sites to serve pilgrims. He added that the Ministry performed 10 open heart surgeries, 200 cardiac catheterization surgeries, 5 births, more than 600 different surgeries and 2000 dialysis, pointing out that these services are being provided by the Kingdom free of charge to pilgrims in accordance with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Crown Prince. The Minister said that we transferred to Arafat Holy Site around 400 patients from hospitals outside Arafat, and some of them from Madinah, in order to ensure that they complete their hajj rituals. The Minister of Health thanked all the medical staff who are making tremendous efforts to provide outstanding services to pilgrims. ----SPA 15:42 LOCAL TIME 12:42 GMT 0014 www.spa.gov.sa/w1153898