"CBAHI" Launches National Standards for Quality and Safety in Holy Sites Hospitals for Hajj Season 1446 AH

The Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) will, for the first time this year, evaluate the quality and safety of medical care in seasonal hospitals in the holy sites of Makkah. This follows the launch of specific standards for these hospitals, operated by the Ministry of Health and other government entities to serve pilgrims of the Sacred House during the Hajj season.

Dr. Salim Abdullah  Al Wahabi, Director General of CBAHI, explained that the launch of national standards for seasonal hospitals in the holy sites comes under the direct guidance of His Excellency the Minister of Health and Chairman of the Saudi Health Council, Eng. Fahd bin Abdul Rahman AlJalajel. He emphasized the importance of an independent and impartial evaluation of the medical care provided to pilgrims, ensuring the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering distinguished and safe healthcare services. These standards account for the temporary operational conditions of these hospitals and the needs of their beneficiaries.

The standards cover key aspects of seasonal hospital operations, including management and leadership, building safety, infection control, medication management and safety, health information and patient records management, critical and emergency care, surgical operations, laboratory and radiology departments, and other technical requirements. Dr. Al-Wahabi highlighted a dedicated section for the care of heatstroke cases, one of the most critical and recurring emergencies due to high temperatures and crowd density.