Dubai: Al Hosn National Health System, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has launched an online Haj permit service on Al Hosn App in cooperation with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE).
The new service aims to facilitate Haj procedures, save pilgrims’ times and efforts and enhance their confidence in the efficiency and development of national health procedures. Additionally, it supports the ongoing efforts of the two entities to accelerate their digital transformation by switching from paper to digital versions of permits.
Al Hosn National Health System emphasised its keenness to work closely with the GAIAE to harness technological resources and modern technologies for the benefit of pilgrims and to provide all facilities required to ensure their safety, health, and security during Hajj as well as to safeguard them from any new virus mutants.
“Providing the online hajj permit through Al Hosn App will bolster our efforts to protect all members of the UAE’s Haj mission and is in line with health protocols and precautionary measures approved by the UAE for the Haj season (1443 AH - 2022 AD),” Al Hosn National Health System added.
Integrated national efforts
MoHAP stressed that the online Haj permit service is the outcome of significant national efforts by the UAE’s competent authorities charged with combating the virus. It will further add to the nation’s achievements made on the way to recover from the pandemic, address any emerging mutants, improve public health, and enhance the UAE’s capacity to deal with pandemics within a record period, it was said.
According to the ministry, all optional and mandatory vaccinations for pilgrims have been made available at health centers in collaboration with other national health authorities. “We are committed to providing the best medical and regulatory services to pilgrims in accordance with the highest standards in order to ensure their health and safety while performing the Hajj and to shield them from all health risks and infectious diseases,” the ministry said.
MoHAP clarified that the technical capabilities of the Al Hosn application, developed with artificial intelligence in compliance with developments and international best practices, have facilitated the integration of the Green Pass Protocol for the electronic Haj permit within the application. The app’s ease of use and elaborate design help achieve the highest levels of user satisfaction, in addition to the velocity of response due to the readiness and proactiveness of the National Cloud services that support it. Collectively, these features come within the framework of the Ministry and its partners of completing the strategic plan to maintain public health and in support of the efforts made for a full recovery, ensuring a safe and healthy environment.
Al Hosn System has also clarified that the introduction of the electronic Haj permit on the application is a mandatory procedure for any individual leaving the country for Haj, whether he is a recipient of full vaccination doses and booster doses against COVID-19.
Required procedures
The system specified four general steps that must be taken by those willing to perform Haj, for the permit to be issued automatically on Al Hosn application. The steps include conducting a negative PCR test no later than 72 hours before the date of travel, attaching certificates of obtaining the “meningitis” vaccine (compulsory), and the “seasonal influenza and pneumococcal” vaccines (optional) from one of the health centers approved by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and health authorities, in addition to “attaching a report on the medical condition of the person wishing to travel (fit) from the approved health authorities, and finally, attaching a travel permit for Haj.”
Al Hosn System stated that the pilgrims who have received full COVID-19 vaccination doses along with booster doses will obtain an electronic Haj permit on Al-Hosn app once the four steps are completed.
The National Health System Al Hosn indicated that the “electronic Haj permit” will appear in grey if: (1) The PCR test expires 72 hours before travel, (2) Required vaccinations are not received (3) The medical report is not obtained or (4) If the Haj travel approval is not obtained from the competent authorities. The permit will appear in red if the result of the (PCR) test is positive.
Those with queries can call 8004676 or write to info@alhosnapp.ae. They can also contact the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) by calling 80029723 or by sending an email to hajj@awqaf.gov.ae or by contacting the Ministry of Health and Prevention at the toll-free number 80011111.
