Bupa CareConnect, the healthcare arm of Bupa Arabia, launched its first-ever field-based clinics in Mina during this year’s Hajj. The “Bupa Clinics” initiative marked a landmark expansion of Bupa Arabia’s services beyond corporate campuses, bringing integrated, tech-enabled medical care directly to pilgrims during one of the most spiritually significant gatherings in the world.
As part of its social responsibility strategy, Bupa Clinics was launched in coordination with Urgent Care Centers under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The clinics provided primary healthcare services to all pilgrims — both Bupa members and non-members. Strategically positioned near essential amenities such as Al-Dawaa Pharmacy, the clinics ensured accessible, responsive care to support the well-being of pilgrims within the sacred sites.
Operating 24/7 throughout the Hajj season, the clinics recorded a total of 1,368 medical interactions. Male pilgrims represented 75 percent of the cases, while female patients accounted for 25 percent. The facility was staffed by a dedicated medical team of six doctors and three nurses, working in rotational shifts.
Health services ranged from vital signs monitoring and management of heat exhaustion, to chronic illness care and emergency triage. Notably, 20 patients were transferred to the Armed Forces Hospital in Mina for advanced treatment, while one critical case required urgent lifesaving intervention, underscoring the preparedness and responsiveness of the team.
Pilgrims sought care for a wide spectrum of conditions, including headaches, fatigue, skin infections, joint pain, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal discomfort, heatstroke, and minor injuries.
Bupa Arabia CEO Tal Nazer said: “We are honored to bring Bupa Clinics to Hajj for the first time, offering advanced, people-centric care to the guests of Allah, both members and non-members regardless of their insurance status. This reflects our mission to expand access to quality healthcare and deliver services where they’re most needed, through an integrated model driven by innovation and compassion.”
Dr. Abdullah Khafagy, executive medical director at Bupa CareConnect, added: “Hajj is a spiritual journey that presents unique medical challenges, and the Bupa Clinics allowed us to respond proactively, providing early screenings, preventive care, and timely interventions in the heart of Mina. This initiative is a testament to our healthcare philosophy, proactive, accessible, and centered on human dignity.”
The Bupa Clinics initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to enhance the quality of life and boost the private sector’s role in public health.
