MAKKAH，11: Malaysia's Hajj health services have achieved a significant milestone this pilgrimage season as Tabung Haji's (TH) Public Health Unit introduces digital tablets to implement the Ziarah Rahmah program at every maktab in the holy city.
TH Public Health Unit Operations Coordinator, Dr. Abdullah Husam A Shukor, stated that the use of this technology, introduced for the first time this year, allows health visits to be conducted room-to-room more efficiently, systematically, and comprehensively.
“This year, TH has equipped its staff with digital tablets complete with SIM cards and internet access. Health personnel can now directly access pilgrim health information through the system online during their visits.
“With these tablets, health personnel can retrieve Pilgrim Health Examination Reports from the Ministry of Health's MyVAS system via the Sihat system, a health information platform developed by TH specifically for medical personnel in the holy land,” he explained during an interview.
Dr. Abdullah Husam highlighted that this new approach represents a significant improvement over the previous manual method, which relied on physical health record books to document pilgrim treatment information.
He added that the tablets also enable personnel to review pilgrims' health histories, including disease status, medication details, and further treatment requirements, more quickly and accurately.
“This digital transformation has made our work more efficient. Personnel can instantly identify the health status of pilgrims, whether in the green (healthy), yellow (at risk), or red (chronic disease) category, thereby helping prioritize visits and enabling early intervention,” he noted.
During the Ziarah Rahmah program, TH health personnel also provide health education, focusing on heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory infection risks.
“Pilgrims are advised to drink at least two liters of water daily, avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight, especially from noon to Asar, and wear hats, umbrellas, and face masks in crowded areas, including at Masjidil Haram,” Dr. Abdullah said.
In addition to general health monitoring, he explained that the Ziarah Rahmah program helps detect unreported illnesses such as eye infections and minor wounds.
He further mentioned that pilgrims would receive assistance in obtaining medication if their supply is insufficient. When necessary, they will be referred to the nearest TH clinic, such as the clinic on the third floor of Hotel Abraj Al Janadriyah.