COVID-19: Saudi Arabia gears up for Haj season
Last year it was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims
Cairo: Saudi health authorities have embarked on steps for providing the manpower needed to man health facilities in the holy sites and pilgrim-entry points for the new Haj season due in July.
The Health Ministry has requested the formation of committees at local health affairs directorates to select the workers who will participate in the Haj-related health services, Okaz newspaper reported.
Each committee will be responsible for providing, categorizing and ensuring the needed manpower, it added. The panels will have to provide the General Directorate for the Haj and Umrah with the names of their members and ways of communication with them in 15 days’ time.
Proposed workers
The names of proposed workers will be reviewed, according to the required numbers and specialties, the report said.
The ministry said it will only accept candidacy applications presented by the manpower committees and health directorates.
Nursing candidates should have practical experience in emergency, operations, ICU care and inpatient departments. All medical candidates, including health and auxiliary workers as well as those directly dealing with patients, shall be committed to observing measures against COVID-19.
Last year’s Haj was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.