Haj app offers information on infectious diseases

The Ministry of Health has launched a smartphone application that provides Haj pilgrims access to important health-related information and resources. Anees Sindi, deputy commander of the ministry's command and control center, said that the recent cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola have made "travelers nervous." “The Ministry of Health is committed to reassuring those traveling to and within the Kingdom, by providing fact-based information about infectious diseases. We encourage all those traveling to perform Haj this year to make use of the application.” The ministry said that the application is available for download on Google Play for pilgrims with android smartphones once they search for “MOH Haj App.” The application includes daily health alerts, the location of health care facilities in Makkah and Madinah, contact details, tips on managing basic health ailments and a mechanism to make emergency calls for medical assistance. The application also includes a live Twitter feed that will focus on providing real-time health-related advisories by the Health Ministry. Additional information outlines symptoms of common ailments, tips on what to do if one exhibits such symptoms and when to seek medical assistance. The application also provides guidance on what to do if a fellow pilgrim contracts an infectious disease.   Arab News