The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Saudi Arabia for successfully ensuring that the 1447 AH Hajj season was free of disease outbreaks and public health threats, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.
The organization commended the Kingdom’s effective management of one of the world’s largest mass gatherings, highlighting its strong public health preparedness and response capabilities amid ongoing global health challenges and emerging epidemic risks.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Saudi Arabia on the success of the Hajj season and expressed appreciation for healthcare workers whose efforts contributed to a safe and healthy season, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom’s ability to manage the health requirements of major mass gatherings to the highest standards.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Hanan Balkhy also congratulated Saudi Arabia on the successful Hajj season and praised the advanced health preparedness provided to pilgrims. She highlighted the deployment of modern health technologies, including robots and drones, the provision of healthcare services across various locations, and the continuous monitoring of pilgrims’ health throughout their journey, enabling them to perform their rituals safely and with peace of mind.
The praise coincided with the Ministry of Health’s announcement that the 1447 AH Hajj season was free of disease outbreaks and public health threats. The season witnessed the implementation of one of the largest health preparedness operations, encompassing integrated preventive, therapeutic, and emergency services. Efforts also included continuous epidemiological surveillance, health assessments, and risk management measures carried out in coordination with various national entities and international health organizations.
Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel stressed that Hajj health security is global health security. He noted that Hajj represents a unique human gathering that brings together millions of pilgrims from around the world before they return to their home countries, making the protection of their health and safety a responsibility whose impact extends to global public health.
He added that the success of the 1447 AH Hajj season and its freedom from disease outbreaks and public health threats were the result of an integrated health ecosystem that begins before pilgrims arrive, including vaccination and immunization requirements and the enforcement of health fitness criteria to protect pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals safely.
The ecosystem extends to early preparedness, epidemiological surveillance, risk assessment, and rapid response, supported by the integration of government entities and international health organizations and the mobilization of human, technical, and operational resources to serve pilgrims.
The minister also expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their continued support and attention to the healthcare sector and the pilgrim service system. He noted that this achievement was made possible by their directives, which have made human health and safety a top priority and contributed to enhancing the readiness of the healthcare system and its success in protecting pilgrims’ health.
The success of the 1447 AH Hajj season, along with United Nations and international commendations, reflects Saudi Arabia’s advanced position in mass gathering medicine and its leading role in developing and implementing best health practices for major human gatherings, contributing to strengthening health security at regional and global levels.
