Nearly 98% of pilgrims satisfied with Hajj healthcare

Dubai: Healthcare services provided to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season have earned an overwhelming vote of confidence, with nearly 98 per cent of respondents expressing satisfaction, according to new data from the Hajj Satisfaction Assessment Platform.

The Mecca Health Cluster announced that 97.7 per cent of pilgrims rated their experience positively, an outcome they attribute to major improvements in patient care and the integration of digital technologies at medical facilities across the holy sites.

Feedback was gathered in real time throughout the pilgrimage. Pilgrims scanned QR codes posted at healthcare facilities to complete surveys available in eight languages, ensuring accessibility regardless of origin or language. Scouts and patient experience staff also assisted those who needed help, using handheld tablets to facilitate the evaluation process.

The Mecca Health Cluster said the results reflect the impact of a series of strategic reforms led by its Executive Management of Patient Experience. “Key improvements were introduced across facilities, focusing on quality and compassionate care,” the cluster said in a statement.  

Key innovations include a redesigned “medical journey map” that streamlined procedures, reduced wait times, and removed unnecessary steps from patients’ experiences. Information cards, given to each pilgrim, outlined every phase of care from arrival to discharge, helping ease navigation through a system that can be daunting for first-time visitors.

Digital health technologies and artificial intelligence played a pivotal role this year, boosting both responsiveness and performance in clinical and administrative operations. The Mecca Health Cluster reaffirmed its commitment to providing world-class, patient-centered care in line with the highest standards of quality and institutional excellence.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE