Saudi Drones Aid Pilgrims Amid Extreme Heat in Makkah

Saudi health workers are increasingly using drones to supply medical clinics treating heat-stressed pilgrims during Haj in Makkah, where temperatures have reached 45 degrees Celsius this week. This technological shift aims to provide fast service to the guests of God during the season, as stated by Fahd Al-Bathi, chief operating officer at the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO). Preparations for medical needs began nine months ago, with teams working around the clock to ensure patients receive care quickly. Before drones were adopted, drivers could spend over an hour en route to clinics running low on supplies. Now, authorities centralize operations around a sprawling center that supplies drones with medications and other necessities, integrating new innovations to ensure safe and rapid delivery of medical supplies. Artificial intelligence monitors footage from thousands of cameras in Makkah, helping manage the heat alongside traditional methods like giant fans, water trucks, and mist systems. Heat exhaustion is one of the main issues during Haj, according to Saudi health official Jamil Abu Al-Aynayn.