Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has drawn up a comprehensive plan to protect the health of Haj pilgrims this year, with a focus on infectious diseases, according to a report.

The plan was unveiled at the fifth meeting of the Haj preparatory committee held in Riyadh, said the Arab News report.

Hussein Abdullah Al-Ghannam, supervisor of health services for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, said the plan would be implemented in Makkah and Madinah.

The focus will be on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV), Ebola, yellow fever, influenza and polio.

Measures would be taken to treat sun and heat stroke patients, and victims of natural disasters, it said.Health officials would undergo special training, he said.

The ministry's programme is aimed at providing integrated health care services to the pilgrims on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The Health Ministry would be linked electronically to other ministries to ensure quality services are provided.

It is set to recruits more than 20,000 people with various medical, technical, administrative skills for the Haj season. There will be more than 400 medics specialised in treating rare health conditions.

As a preventive measure, the ministry will deploy officials at all 14 ports of entry to monitor pilgrims coming for the Haj. These officials will ensure pilgrims have taken the necessary vaccinations. There would be vaccinations for those who have not done so.