Effective preparedness for hajj 2017 (1438 H) pays off: no major public health events reported

Dr El Ziq, WHO Representative to Saudi Arabia (right) addresses a meeting on the successful conclusion of this year's hajj3 September 2017, Makkah – The World Health Organization (WHO) today concluded a successful mission to Saudi Arabia to support the Ministry of Health in ensuring a safe hajj season. No disease outbreak or public health event of concern was reported among the nearly 2.4 million pilgrims visiting the holy sites during this year’s hajj, in spite of an increased number of pilgrims performing hajj this year. WHO's mission to Saudi Arabia was conducted as part of a range of activities undertaken by the Organization to support countries in ensuring effective implementation of the core public health capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to any public health threat before it becomes an event of international concern. These activities are also outlined in the Regional Director's roadmap which details a set of strategic actions to guide WHO’s work with Member States for the next five years.  In preparation for the hajj, the Ministry of Health, with the support of WHO, intensified readiness, preparedness and response efforts to address any possible health threats that might occur during the hajj. In accordance with the IHR 2005, the Read more...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news