WHO Praises Saudi for Disease-Free 2026 Hajj
By Abdulmumin Aliu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Saudi Arabia for successfully conducting the 2026 Hajj season without any epidemic outbreaks or public health threats, describing the achievement as a significant milestone in the management of one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
The commendation followed an announcement by the Saudi Ministry of Health that this year’s pilgrimage concluded free of communicable disease outbreaks and major health risks, following the implementation of a comprehensive healthcare strategy covering prevention, surveillance, and emergency response.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, congratulated Saudi authorities on the successful Hajj operation and praised healthcare workers for their commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of millions of pilgrims who participated in the pilgrimage.
Also commending the Kingdom’s efforts, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s high level of health preparedness and the effective use of advanced technologies, including robots and drones, to support healthcare delivery during the pilgrimage.
She further praised the widespread availability of health services and continuous monitoring of pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Health, the successful outcome was driven by an integrated health system that combined epidemiological surveillance, health assessments, risk management, and rapid response mechanisms in coordination with national agencies and international health partners.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, said protecting the health of pilgrims is a critical component of global health security, given the participation of millions of worshippers from across the world.
He noted that preparations began long before pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom, with mandatory health requirements and vaccination programs, followed by extensive monitoring and response measures throughout the Hajj period.
The international recognition underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation in the field of mass gathering medicine and reinforces its position as a global leader in managing large-scale events while maintaining high public health standards.
The 2026 Hajj attracted millions of pilgrims from around the world, with Saudi authorities deploying extensive healthcare resources and preventive measures to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage.
