WHO Network Expands Digital Health Certification For Hajj Pilgrims

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have announced a digital health certification scheme to support pilgrims each year.

The WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network’s targets about 3 million pilgrims who undertake the holy pilgrimage every year, a release from the global health agency has indicated.

It comes with a Hajj health card, summarizes critical health information, such as medication needs, allergies, immunisation status and pre-existing conditions.

The card gives individuals agency over their own health information when they travel to Saudi Arabia so that they can provide authorised health providers access to accurate, up-to-date patient summary information and obtain personalised quality care.

“Today marks a notable progress in WHO’s support to Member States to expand access to safer and person-centered digital health tools for people to improve their access to quality health care when and where they need it,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Chief Scientist.

“We are thankful for the excellent collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participating countries, and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and look forward to further support building capacity and infrastructure in countries shifting to more digitized health systems.”

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Over 250 000 pilgrims from 3 countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman, were issued Hajj health cards in 2024, as part of the pilot collaboration between WHO and Saudi Arabia, the agency said.

It added that test-phase demonstrated that each country was able to use global standards to issue their own national versions of the card, enhancing the pilgrims’ safety and quality of care while undertaking the Hajj.

WHO and Saudi Arabia agreed to further collaborate to improve and expand upon the successful pilot programme for the Hajj health card.

The expertise and support from the Saudi government and their digital implementing partner LEAN, will enable increased data security and essential technical support to additional countries joining the Hajj health card programme.

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“This exciting partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organisation to expand the Hajj health card initiative enhances the safety and well-being of millions of pilgrims,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO). “By leveraging digital health solutions, we strengthen quality of care, and help strengthen health systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and around the world.”