title: Pattern of patients and diseases during mass transit: The day of Arafat experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Every year 2-3 million Muslims gather for a few days around the Holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Managing enormous health issues associated with such a mass gathering requires a very vibrant health delivery plan. Related research is part of the strategy. This study was done to assess the pattern of patients and illnesses encountered at one health facility at Arafat on the 2nd day of Hajj, when all the pilgrims move from Mina and stay in Arafat for a few hours. The objective of the study was to provide input so that recommendations can be given for future improvement of health care during this mass transit.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients reporting sick to the Nimra Hospital on the Day of Arafat were included and documented on a detailed Performa and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We received 211 patients, essentially all of those were in need of acute medical intervention. Acute severe asthma and injuries were the major problems encountered. There were two deaths both related to heat stroke. Patients received were predominantly Arabic speaking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only those needing acute intervention seek medical advice during transit. Well equipped and staffed health facilities are, however, needed to cater these and for any mass casualties. Pre Hajj training and mandatory Flu vaccination can help.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Abdulfattah I. Sindy, MB ChB. Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulfattah I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sindy
authors.affiliation: Dr. Mostafa Jamil Baljoon, PhD. Qunfudah Health Affairs.
authors.forename: Mostafa Jamil
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Baljoon
authors.affiliation: Dr. Nadeem Alam Zubairi, FCPS. Rabigh Medical College, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nadeem Alam
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Zubairi
authors.affiliation: Dr. Khalid Obaid Dhafar, FRCS. Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid Obaid
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Dhafar
authors.affiliation: Dr. Zohair Jamil Gazzaz, PhD. Rabigh Medical College, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Zohair Jamil
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Gazzaz
authors.affiliation: Dr. Basma Abdulhameed Deiab, PhD. General Directorate of healthcare affairs, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Basma Abdulhameed
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Deiab
authors.affiliation: FauzeaTalea Al Hothali, N.Dip. Makkah Region Nursing Administration, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: FauzeaTalea Al
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Hothali
keywords: Arafat; Hajj; Saudi Arabia; flu vaccination