Recently, Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal convened a major meeting of the Central Hajj Committee to assess the development in offering ideal services to Umrah visitors.

Under the guidance of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah and adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, this session aimed at assuring the seamless implementation of plans for the forthcoming Umrah season and enhancing cooperation among the several entities engaged.

The committee talked on operational preparation and cooperative efforts among the General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Health, and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in attending to the pilgrims during the conference. Ensuring that these services are provided effectively depended mostly on the preparations and the required coordination among several authorities.

The General Directorate of Passports announced its plans for managing the flood of pilgrims. Among the main areas of focus were air, land, and sea as well as the welcome of Umrah pilgrims arriving via the ports of the Kingdom. The committee looked at the actions being taken to simplify admission and departure policies, extend Umrah visas where needed, and get ready for handling the busiest times. 

The directorate is getting ready by arming every port with cutting-edge technical systems and equipment to support the process: biometric tools, mobile service platforms, security monitoring, communication tools, forgery detection systems. At strategic locations, qualified staff members speaking several languages will be assigned; volunteers will help at passport control stations, therefore improving the degree of service and guaranteeing effective processing of pilgrims.

Apart from that, the branch of the Ministry of Health in Makkah gave a thorough review of its medical offerings for the Umrah season With a 4,560 bed capacity, 17 hospitals in all will be ready to assist pilgrims. The ministry also listed the three mobile clinics providing medical aid and 13 main healthcare centers' establishment.

Important health projects include guaranteeing hospitals have high-quality medical facilities and emergency services, putting in place a fast referral system for severe cases, and maintaining stringent infection control and environmental health standards. When called for, preventive medical teams will be sent for quick intervention to guarantee pilgrims' health and safety.

Furthermore discussed was the Saudi Red Crescent Authority's readiness. With 93 ambulances, 260 ambulances, and other vehicles-including 25 golf carts, nine disaster carts, 20 motorbikes, and 60 bicycles-the authority is getting ready. This all-encompassing transportation scheme seeks to guarantee that medical help may be rapidly and effectively provided to pilgrims in several sites, including the Grand Mosque in Makkah. With 1,400 male and female volunteers supporting the Umrah season, the Saudi Red Crescent also emphasized their volunteer army. Their help will be absolutely vital for handling crises and providing extra aid in busy places.

In order to guarantee seamless operations during the pilgrimage season, the committee also examined the most recent updates regarding the Hajj plans for the year 1446 and deliberated on a range of other pertinent matters. Along with their proactive planning and preparation, the continuous efforts of the Central Hajj Committee to enhance coordination among these important agencies help to provide a high degree of service to Umrah pilgrims, so guaranteeing their safety, comfort, and well-being all along their trip.

The conference underlined how dedicated the Saudi government is to provide Umrah pilgrims with the finest possible services by means of thorough planning in the domains of health, security, and logistics. The General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Health, and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority working together will guarantee pilgrims coming in the Kingdom for the holy pilgrimage a flawless experience. The committee's efforts still center on improving the caliber of the services and guaranteeing the safety of every Umrah season participant.