Serve Hajj Pilgrims: Madinah Airport Provides Holo-Doctor Virtual Health Services, Doctors Are 800 Kilometers Away In Riyadh

Launch of the Holo-Doctor service. (Source: Madinah Int Airport via The National News)

JAKARTA - The Medina Authority has made a breakthrough in providing services to pilgrims, where this year many foreign pilgrims have landed in the city, by providing health check-ups by holographic doctors.

The new cutting-edge technology, available at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the holy city, will offer diagnosis to people by doctors more than 800 kilometers away, at Riyadh's Seha Virtual Hospital (SVH).

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Fahd Al Jalajel announced the launch of the Holo-Doctor service for international pilgrims arriving in the kingdom, of which there were about 313,000 who arrived as of Wednesday, the haj authority said, quoted by The National News July 1.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said 252,140 pilgrims had landed at the city's international airport, while 60,731 had arrived in the city by land since the start of the hajj season.

The new state-of-the-art medical service, developed by the Saudi Telecom Company, aims to provide real-time consultations on intensive care, stroke and radiology from an interactive virtual team that works around the clock.

Patients simply stand in front of machines at the airport to be examined by doctors virtually. The medical professional will be able to analyze the patient's vital signs and consult or prescribe the necessary medication.

Minister Al Jalajel said the Seha Virtual Hospital is now linked to many services offered in Mecca and Medina for pilgrims during this year's Hajj season.

The kingdom's health authorities will provide medical assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week consulting services to pilgrims via the toll-free number 937, or on the SEHATY app throughout the Hajj season.

Separately, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has employed 10,000 workers to serve pilgrims performing this year's Hajj, with the kingdom adopting enhanced AI technology to enhance the experience this year.

The Saudi Arabian Communications and Information Technology Commission said its systems and networks have been fully installed, with more than 11,000 Wi-Fi access points and 5,900 communication towers in the two holy cities.

CITC Governor Dr Mohammed Al Tamimi said the kingdom's infrastructure would help streamline the journey of fulfilling a lifelong dream for pilgrims performing Hajj, while enhancing their digital experience.