Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has published a comprehensive health guide for Hajj 2026 pilgrims in eight languages, covering everything from heat exhaustion prevention to respiratory infection control and emergency first aid. The guide accompanies pilgrims from pre-departure health requirements through to on-ground medical guidance during the rites.

Available Languages

The guide is published in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Turkish, and Malay - covering the native languages of the vast majority of the world's Hajj pilgrims. This is part of the Ministry's "Hajj in Health" initiative under the Health Sector Transformation Programme aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

What the Guide Covers

According to Arab News, the guide addresses five critical health areas:

  • Heat exhaustion and heatstroke prevention: Signs to watch for, cooling techniques, and when to seek emergency help. Particularly important given that even in the cooler May timing of Hajj 2026, temperatures can reach 40-42 degrees Celsius during outdoor rituals.
  • Respiratory infection prevention: With over 2 million pilgrims in close proximity, respiratory illnesses spread rapidly. The guide covers mask usage, hand hygiene, and recognising symptoms that require medical attention.
  • Food safety: Guidance on safe food handling and avoiding foodborne illness - a common cause of pilgrim hospital visits. Advice on which street food to avoid, water safety, and food storage in the heat.
  • First aid and emergency response: Basic first aid procedures every pilgrim should know, and how to access the extensive medical infrastructure across the holy sites.
  • Guidance for high-risk groups: Tailored advice for elderly pilgrims, those with chronic conditions, pregnant women, and pilgrims with disabilities.

How to Access It

The guide is available as a free PDF download from the Saudi Ministry of Health website. Pilgrims can access the Arabic version at the Ministry's official publications page. Translated versions are available through the same portal.

We recommend downloading the PDF to your phone before departure so it is available offline during the Hajj days, when mobile networks in Mina and Arafat become heavily congested.

Key Health Numbers to Save

Every pilgrim should save these numbers before arriving:

  • 937: Saudi Ministry of Health hotline (24/7, multilingual)
  • 911: Emergency services in the Makkah region
  • 1966: Unified Hajj services call centre

Medical facilities during Hajj 2026 include four hospitals in Mina, Arafat General Hospital with 800+ beds and dedicated heat treatment units, and mobile ambulance teams throughout all sacred sites. The smart wristband programme monitors elderly pilgrims' vital signs in real time, alerting medics automatically if readings move outside safe parameters.

Why This Matters

Health incidents during Hajj are preventable in the majority of cases. The 2024 tragedy - where over 1,300 pilgrims died from heat-related causes - demonstrated the consequences of inadequate health preparation. Most victims were performing Hajj without permits and lacked access to medical services. For registered pilgrims with proper preparation, the health infrastructure is extensive and accessible.

Reading a health guide may feel unexciting compared to spiritual preparation, but keeping your body functional is what allows you to worship. A pilgrim hospitalised with dehydration on the Day of Arafah has lost the most important hours of their entire Hajj.