Hologram doctor checks Hajj pilgrims at Madinah airport

Saudi Arabian authorities estimate 313,000 people have so far arrived from overseas in the holy city for the pilgrimage

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al Jalajel on Tuesday launched the Holo-Doctor service for pilgrims landing in Madinah International Airport.

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The vast number of pilgrims descending on Madinah for this year’s Hajj can now be checked over by a doctor with a difference — in the form of a hologram.

The new state-of-the-art technology, available at the holy city’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, will offer people diagnosis by doctors more than 800 kilometres away, in Seha Virtual Hospital (SVH), Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahd Al Jalajel announced the launch of the Holo-Doctor service for international pilgrims arriving in the kingdom, of which there had been about 313,000 by Wednesday, Hajj authorities said.

Saudi Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, launched Tuesday, June 28th, the Holo-Doctor service, for pilgrims attending this year's Hajj season, via Madinah Int airport.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said 252,140 pilgrims had landed at the city's international airport, while 60,731 had arrived in the city by land since the beginning of Hajj season.

The new cutting-edge medical service developed by the Saudi Telecom Company aims to provide real-time consultation on intensive care, strokes and radiology from an interactive virtual team working around the clock.

Patients will need to stand in front of the machine at the airport to be examined by a doctor virtually. The medical professional will be able to analyse the patient's vital signs and consult or prescribe any required medication.

Mr Al Jalajel said Seha Virtual Hospital is now linked to many services offered in Makkah and Madinah to Hajj pilgrims.

Worshippers gather before the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia will welcome 850,000 Muslims from abroad for Hajj after the coronavirus pandemic restricted pilgrimage for two years. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers gather before the Kaaba. AFP

Pilgrims offer prayers before Hajj. SPA

Pilgrims arrive in the holy city of Madinah. SPA

Pilgrims offer prayers. SPA

Coachloads of pilgrims in Madinah. SPA

Pilgrims at prayer. SPA

Moroccan pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. SPA

Jeddah Port admits one of 1,183 Hajj pilgrims from Sudan. SPA

Hajj pilgrims from Sudan arrive at Jeddah Port. SPA

Officials at Jeddah check the papers of Hajj pilgrims on their arrival from Sudan. SPA

Customs officials check the papers of Hajj pilgrims at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. SPA

The kingdom’s health authorities will provide 24/7 medical assistance and consultation services to pilgrims through a toll-free number 937, or on the SEHATY app throughout the pilgrimage season.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has hired 10,000 workers to serve pilgrims performing Hajj this year, with the kingdom adopting enhanced AI technology to improve this year’s experience.

Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission said its systems and networks had been fully installed, with more than 11,000 Wi-Fi access points and 5,900 communication towers across the two holy cities.

CITC governor Dr Mohammed Al Tamimi said the kingdom’s infrastructure would help to smooth the passage of fulfilling a lifelong dream for pilgrims performing Hajj, while enhancing their digital experience.