National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Reveals Health Statistics and Efforts to Ensure Pilgrims’ Well-being
In the ongoing 2023 Hajj operation, Dr. Usman Galadima, the Head of the Medical Team at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has provided updates on the health conditions of Nigerian pilgrims. He disclosed that the 524-member medical team, stationed across seven clinics in Makkah and Madinah, has attended to 15,860 individuals and unfortunately recorded six deaths since the operation began on May 26, 2023.
Dr. Galadima further revealed that among the pilgrims, 30 individuals experienced psychiatric issues, seven had fractures, and eight cases of communicable diseases were documented.
Additionally, NAHCON announced plans to operate 18 clinics at the Mashã’ir sites to ensure the well-being of pilgrims.
Dr. Galadima stated, “For the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims, we have put in place emergency response measures and have ambulances ready. We will continue health education and awareness campaigns. We will assist as many people as possible, taking them to Saudi hospitals if necessary. We have been managing those with mental health conditions in our clinics, and they are now stable enough to perform Hajj.”
In related news, NAHCON and private tour operators successfully airlifted all 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj, which is scheduled to commence on June 25. The airlift operations began on May 25 and concluded on June 24. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allocated 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria, with 75,000 slots distributed among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the remaining 20,000 slots assigned to private tour operators.
During a pre-Arafah conference in Makkah, NAHCON Chairman and CEO, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, expressed gratitude to the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support, noting that the successful airlift operation hadn’t been accomplished in about a decade. He also expressed optimism that this year’s Hajj would be remembered as the most remarkably successful one in Nigeria’s history.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Pilgrims Welfare Board (OSBWB) has issued an appeal to pilgrims following reports of alleged poor treatment in Makkah, particularly regarding the quality of food served. The board has taken note of the pilgrims’ concerns and is working to address the situation.
