As part of efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and provide the highest standards of safety for pilgrims during their Hajj journey, the Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Directorate General of Information Technology and Digital Health, today (Thursday) launched the International Patient Summary (IPS) service for pilgrims through the “Shifa App.” The service is designed to enable healthcare professionals to access pilgrims’ health information quickly and securely whenever needed.
The launch ceremony was held at the Ministry’s headquarters under the patronage of H.E. Suleiman bin Nasser Al Hajji, MOH Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs, in the presence of several directors general and senior officials.
This initiative is part of the Ministry’s efforts to enhance digital transformation in healthcare services and to reinforce the concept of “sustainable health as the pilgrim’s first companion,” through the use of Hajj-specific Quick Response (QR) code technology. This enables pilgrims to securely store their health data and medical history in a unified and organized format, making it safely accessible throughout the performance of Hajj rituals when needed.
The IPS service is distinguished by its ability to facilitate and accelerate access to the pilgrim’s essential medical information when needed. Healthcare providers, upon obtaining the pilgrim’s consent, can view a verified, concise health record by scanning a QR code, thereby supporting clinical decision-making and ensuring the delivery of appropriate care with efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.
In this context, the Ministry of Health has called on all pilgrims heading to the Holy Lands to register through the “Hajj Clinic” on the Shifa App, in order to update their health data and activate the IPS service. The Ministry emphasized that pre-travel digital and health preparedness is one of the key enablers of a safe and seamless Hajj journey.