Saudi Hajj Ministry issues new web link for Qatari pilgrims after Doha blocking

(AFP)

• The new link was made available as part of King Salman’s efforts to facilitate the arrival of all pilgrims
• The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it welcomes the arrival of Qatari pilgrims this year irrespective of the on-going Gulf dispute

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allocated a new website link to receive the requests of Qataris who wish to perform Hajj after the Qatari authorities blocked the old one. Qataris wishing to perform Hajj can use the following link: https://qh1.Hajj.gov.sa instead of the old one (https://qh.Hajj.gov.sa), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The new link was made available as part of King Salman’s efforts to facilitate the arrival of all pilgrims and ensure that any obstacles that they may face are overcome. The ministry said that it welcomes the arrival of Qatari pilgrims this year irrespective of the ongoing Gulf dispute. The arrival and departure of Qatari pilgrims will take place via King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and through any airlines except Qatar Airways. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE — collectively known as the Anti-Terror Quartet — imposed a boycott on Qatar in June 2017 over Doha’s alleged ties with terror groups. Doha denies the charges.
Health care services The Ministry of Health has intensified its preparations to assure good health care services for pilgrims this year. To equip its facilities to ensure readiness to offer effective health care services to pilgrims during the Hajj season from their arrival by air, sea and land to their safe return to their homelands, the ministry on Thursday announced the completion of 12 health control centers at these access points. “These centers are well equipped with modern medical facilities with more than 1,750 medical staff and 19 clinics to provide the best services to the pilgrims round the clock,” it said. These centers will provide emergency and ambulatory medical services to pilgrims and referral services for patients to specialist hospitals using well-equipped ambulances. The ministry activates field medicine and emergency care during the Hajj by gearing up a fleet of 100 small ambulances operating as mobile intensive care units to deal with emergencies, as well as providing 80 highly equipped big ambulances. More than 29,000 health practitioners, including medical, technical and administrative groups, are commissioned under the workforce program. The ministry follows up developments and changes in the global health situation in coordination with the World Health Organization and other international health institutions including the international centers for disease control.