Madinah: Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey conducted a field inspection tour of several SFDA facilities and operational sites in Makkah and Eastern regions as part of the intensive preparations for this year's Hajj season, which aimed to enhance the efficiency of regulatory procedures and ensure the safety of incoming products, contributing to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the tour included visits to the air cargo facilities and the pilgrims hall at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where Aljadhey reviewed operations related to the reception, storage, and inspection of medicines and medical devices belonging to Hajj missions. He also reviewed the efforts of the SFDA's food control laboratories in Jeddah, including technical preparations, laboratory procedures for sample testing, and the advanced technologies used in microbial detection.
Aljadhey also visited the SFDA office at the pilgrims hall, which is responsible for monitoring and verifying the safety of medicines and medical supplies accompanying pilgrims. The tour further included the air cargo building at King Abdulaziz International Airport, where Aljadhey met with SFDA personnel and emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to serve pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
Aljadhey reviewed the preventive and regulatory efforts carried out by the Health Control Center at Pilgrims City in King Abdulaziz International Airport, which contribute to enhancing pilgrims' safety from the moment of their arrival. He praised the national talents and qualified personnel working at the center.
The tour extended to the SFDA branch in Eastern Region and its office at King Fahd International Airport, where Aljadhey reviewed the workflow of the Unified Central Clearance Center, operational procedures in place, and mechanisms implemented to accelerate the clearance of consignments for products subject to SFDA oversight. These measures are designed to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the smooth entry of products in accordance with the highest safety and quality standards. He also reviewed procedures implemented by SFDA inspectors at the ports to strengthen the safety of imports.
This was followed by a tour of the storage area, where he reviewed shipment handling mechanisms and assessed the readiness of field teams to manage shipments with high efficiency.
Aljadhey emphasized that these tours are part of the SFDA's proactive efforts to strengthen readiness for the Hajj season and enhance coordination with relevant entities, contributing to protecting the health of pilgrims and reinforcing the safety of products subject to SFDA oversight. He also stressed the importance of integrating roles and harnessing all capabilities to serve pilgrims, in addition to utilizing the latest digital technologies in regulatory activities to enhance the speed and accuracy of decision-making and improve the efficiency of regulatory operations.
During the tour, Aljadhey commended the efforts of SFDA inspectors and personnel during the Hajj season, praising their contributions to pilgrim safety and noting how their work reflects the directives of the Kingdom's leadership to harness all resources in service of the pilgrims.
The SFDA continues to implement its regulatory and operational plans during the Hajj season through specialized technical personnel operating around the clock. This stems from its commitment to protecting public health, enhancing product safety, and supporting national efforts aimed at providing the best possible services to pilgrims.