(From: Abdulai Mamudu Gariba, GNA Special Correspondent, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Courtesy Saudi Ministry of Cultural and Information and Ministry of Information, Ghana.

Jeddah, Nov. 25, GNA - The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the week-end launched a special website on health issues for both domestic and overseas pilgrims. The website in Arabic, www.moh.gov.sa/ha has a simultaneous toll free number 8002494444 set up for the purpose of the Hajj inquiries concerning all health concerns of would be pilgrims. Dr Hamad Al Maane', Minister of Health who launched the website at the week-end in Jeddah said it would provide all information about the facilities available for the month-long pilgrimage.

The Supervising General for Communication and Health Awareness Campaign at the Ministry of Health told a press conference after the launch that the website provides information about all the necessary requirements of the Health Ministry before one goes for the Hajj and the rituals.

It also has information about services of the Health Ministry, clinics at the Holy sites, information about local information centres, list of consultants and specialists involved in health programmes. The website will also facilitate on-line appointment with a physician, information about emergency health centres and hospitals, mobile health services, videos on health issues and prevention, maps of the ritual sites, Hajj plans, health publications and general news related to health matters.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has stressed the need and importance of vaccination against flu and meningitis. Dr Ahamd Unni, General Physician at Badr Al-Tamam said that, it was very difficult to prevent flu infection, because the virus spreads quickly, adding that even after vaccination there were some chances of getting infected, especially with the large number of people participating in the Holy event.