Saudi Arabia Introduces Drone Delivery for Medicines During Hajj, Says Health Minister
Riyadh:Saudi Health Minister **Fahad Al-Jalajel** has announced the launch of a **drone-based medicine delivery system** for this year’s Hajj, aiming to revolutionize medical logistics in crowded pilgrimage zones.
In an interview with *Arab News*, the minister stated that this **cutting-edge service** is the result of **two years of research and testing**, with the goal of ensuring timely and efficient delivery of essential medications during Hajj.
Previously, transporting medicines through ground routes took up to **90 minutes**, while drones can now complete the same task in **just 6 minutes**, he said. This innovation comes at a crucial time, as **approximately 1.25 million pilgrims** are expected to participate in Hajj 2025, scheduled from **June 4 to June 9**.
Al-Jalajel explained that the use of drones would significantly **ease medical logistics** by bypassing vehicular congestion and heavy human traffic at the holy sites.
He emphasized that the **drones are equipped with advanced cooling systems** to **preserve medicine quality**, even in the extreme heat common at pilgrimage locations. The devices have passed extensive safety and environmental testing, especially for **temperature stability during take-off and landing**.
This advancement is part of **Saudi Vision 2030**, which aims to modernize and digitize healthcare services across the kingdom—not only for residents but also for millions of visitors, including Hajj pilgrims.
The minister also highlighted one of the vision’s flagship achievements: the **Seha Virtual Hospital**, which has been recognized by **Guinness World Records as the world’s largest virtual hospital**. The platform connects over **200 hospitals** and provides nationwide access to advanced medical consultations through the Saudi “Sehhaty” health app.
In addition to drone logistics, Saudi Arabia is also making strides in **robotic surgery**, **stroke management**, and **artificial intelligence**-based medical systems, marking a significant transformation in the kingdom’s healthcare landscape.
These efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to not only ensuring the safety and well-being of Hajj pilgrims but also positioning itself as a regional leader in **healthcare innovation**.
