Using Modern Medical Technologies to Monitor the Health of Pilgrims in Makkah

The implementation of advanced medical technologies has significantly enhanced the monitoring of pilgrims’ health and their access to comprehensive medical services at hospitals and primary healthcare centers across Makkah and the holy sites. These efforts are part of the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives to ensure that all pilgrims can perform their Hajj rituals safely and comfortably, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

 A notable example of this effort is the case of a pilgrim from Indonesia, whose life was saved through swift intervention within the urgent care system—one of the key components of the Saudi healthcare model. The pilgrim was transferred to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, a facility under the Makkah Health Cluster, after a referral was issued through the “My Referral (Ehalati)” platform, which connects healthcare institutions throughout the Kingdom.

 According to the Makkah Health Cluster, the pilgrim was diagnosed with sepsis caused by acute biliary obstruction. Further examination revealed a pancreatic tumor that had metastasized to the stomach and small intestine. Upon arrival, the patient was immediately admitted to the critical care unit.

 A specialized medical team from the Digestive System, Liver, and Advanced Endoscopy Center, led by Consultant in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases and Director of the Endoscopy Fellowship Program Dr. Mohammed Saeed Khan, undertook an emergency intervention using the SpyGlass system, one of the world’s most advanced endoscopic technologies. The team performed urgent balloon dilation of the bile duct using a CRE balloon, followed by the placement of a self-expanding metal stent under radiological guidance. This procedure successfully reopened the hepatic ducts, resolving the acute infection.