Makkah: The Makkah Health Cluster is advancing its pioneering role in digital healthcare transformation through a medical smartwatch initiative aimed at strengthening remote patient monitoring, particularly for cardiac and high-risk cases.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the initiative, implemented by King Abdullah Medical City, operates within the virtual healthcare ecosystem and is linked to the Makkah Virtual Hospital, a branch of the Seha Virtual Hospital in Riyadh. It provides patients with smart watches and wearable devices connected to an integrated digital system that transmits vital signs in real time to medical teams, enabling rapid intervention when needed.

Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel said in a recent press briefing that the initiative represents an advanced model of digital and virtual healthcare services, leveraging smart technologies to enhance care quality and improve monitoring outside hospital settings. The system tracks multiple vital indicators, including heart rate, ECG readings, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and body temperature, as well as physical activity and overall patient condition. The data is continuously transmitted to digital monitoring rooms for medical review.

The system extends beyond the smartwatch to include home devices, such as smart blood pressure and weight monitors. It also features real-time alerts for critical readings, with continuous follow-up from specialized medical and nursing teams, helping reduce hospital stays and strengthen preventive and proactive care.