By Muhammad Al-Sulami / 1 Oct 2013

 

Adel bin Mohammed Turkistani, director of the health control center at the Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP), has confirmed that the health of pilgrims coming through the JIP is excellent.

 

He said that port officials have not registered cases of infectious diseases since the beginning of September, when the first group of pilgrims arrived.  The director pointed out that, the center has inspected 273 vessels arriving from various countries since the Haj season began, including 33 carriers dedicated to transporting pilgrims. 

 

He said a total of 8,024 pilgrims of various nationalities are to arrive on these ships, in addition to 936 seasonal workers.

 

The center’s prevention program launched an intensive awareness campaign for pilgrims in collaboration with maritime agents. More than 30 visual awareness displays were introduced in various languages catering to the different nationalities on board.

 

Posters with seven different awareness messages have been posted in the vessels’ corridors and

passenger lounges.

 

In addition, the management team distributed more than 42,000 pocket brochures with awareness messages on diseases, health and safety.

 

More than 317 pilgrims have availed themselves of the center’s medical services on their arrival at the port, while about 108 patients sought the assistance of health care facilities available at the port’s departure terminal.

 

A large number of patients have also had access to emergency clinic services, which are provided exclusively for this Haj season as a means to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims traveling through the Jeddah Islamic Port.