PATTERN OF SURGICAL AND MEDICAL DISEASES AMONG PILGRIMS ATTENDING AL-NOOR HOSPITAL MAKKAH

OBJECTIVE: Hajj usually presents a unique medical crisis especially for the Emergency Department. This study will identify the surgical and medical cases that presented at the Emergency Department during Hajj and percentage admitted. DESIGN: A prospective study of the pattern of surgical and medical cases that presented at the Emergency Department of the largest tertiary care hospital in Makkah city and holy lands during Hajj. METHODS: The study was conducted prospectively during the 1413 (1993) Hajj pilgrimage from 20.11.1413 to 20.12.1413. All Saudi and non-Saudi pilgrims presenting at the Emergency Department of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital were included. RESULTS: From the 7,676 patients who came to the Emergency Department, 1426 were admitted. The commonest cause for surgical admission was trauma, while the commonest cause for medical admission was pneumonia. CONCLUSION: More than 50% of cases could have been dealt with in the Outpatient Department or Primary Health Care Centers.