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Join Date: 05 Mar 2015
Location:  Saudi ArabiaPosts: 85 |
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Drug tests for Haj vehicle drivers |
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Drug tests for Haj vehicle drivers
RIYADH: In a new move, the Ministry of Health will conduct drug tests on all drivers ferrying pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah during the Haj season. The decision was taken at a Haj preparatory meeting held on Sunday under the chairmanship of Imad Jahdali, the ministry’s undersecretary for planning and development of human resources. Following the meeting, Hussein bin Abdullah Ghannam, general supervisor of health services for the Haj and Umrah, said that such tests have become imperative because drivers often work long hours and take drugs to keep up their energy levels. The action is being taken to protect large numbers of pilgrims who travel in coaches, taxis and private vehicles. The police, narcotics department and the General Syndicate of Cars will be involved in the campaign. Meanwhile, Ghannam said the ministry would work with the International Mass-Gathering Medicine Center and the World Health Organization to exchange experiences. He said the international community has praised Saudi Arabia for its handling of Haj every year. The ministry has used this experience to organize a one-year diploma course in mass gathering. The International Mass-Gathering Medicine Center is to establish a research and vocational training facility geared to provide staff for the Haj and Umrah seasons. The ministry will recruit more than 20,000 people for various medical, technical and administrative positions for the Haj season this year. This will include 400 health workers with skills in rare disciplines. As a preventive measure against epidemic diseases, the ministry will deploy officials at all 14 ports of entry to monitor the condition of pilgrims coming for Haj. These officials will ensure pilgrims have the necessary vaccinations. Source:arabnews http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/769516 |
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