Al-Jalajel announces advanced healthcare readiness for Hajj, with a bed-capacity surpassing 20,000

RIYADH — Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel affirmed the health sector’s readiness and full preparedness for the 2026 Hajj season. “The bed capacity for this year’s Hajj exceeds 20,000, including more than 3,800 beds at the holy sites, alongside doubling the capacity of Mina Emergency Hospital 2, and enhancing the ability to deal with various health cases during the season,” he said while addressing the government press conference held in Riyadh on Wednesday. The minister said that the healthcare system has been operating under a comprehensive proactive approach since the end of last year’s season. “The aim is to provide continuous medical care for pilgrims from their home countries until their safe return, enabling them to perform their rituals in a safe and reassuring health environment,” he said. Al-Jalajel said that the Kingdom’s service to pilgrims is rooted in a long-standing historical legacy established by the late King Abdulaziz and continued by successive Saudi kings. “Under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom continues to develop the Hajj system and enhance its services year after year, until the season has become an advanced global model reflecting the Kingdom’s care for humanity,” he said. The minister noted that the Hajj season is considered as one of the world’s largest human gatherings within a short period and a limited geographical area, requiring high levels of healthcare preparedness and rapid response. “The healthcare system has expanded its urgent care services, with the number of urgent care centres rising to 25, an increase of more than threefold, helping accelerate access to services and strengthen on-ground emergency response. The ambulance services have also been reinforced with a fleet of more than 3,000 ambulances and emergency vehicles, supported by 11 air ambulance aircraft,” he said while noting that these services are provided by 7,700 paramedics, while more than 52,000 healthcare practitioners are participating in serving pilgrims across various locations. Al-Jalajel affirmed that what the Kingdom provides during the Hajj season represents an advanced model combining humanitarian values, organizational efficiency, institutional integration, and modern technologies, with the aim of enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals in peace of mind and return to their countries carrying an experience of comprehensive healthcare and humane care that reflects the Kingdom’s attention and commitment to the pilgrims.