The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the opening of first aid rooms in each of the hotels provided for Nigerian pilgrims in the holy city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON Commissioner in charge of health matters, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana said this Tuesday in a Freedom Radio Kaduna, Hausa programme, Barka da Warhaka. He called on state hajj officials to inform their pilgrims and guide them to such rooms in any of the hotels they reside.
He said the measure was intended to take care of minor illnesses pilgrims might encounter.
The commissioner stated that the Saudi health authorities are expected to inspect the main Nigerian medical clinic in Madinah Tuesday, for certification and permission to handle medical and health issues of pilgrims.
Dr Kana stated that, virtually all the required drugs, medicament and dispensable medical consumables have been sourced and stocked at the clinic for Nigerian pilgrims expected to start arriving the Prophet City from tomorrow.
He said at least three functional clinics would be opened in the next few days in Misfallah, which will have largest contraction of Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah, another two at Sharee’a Mansur, in addition to another one at Agiad all in Makkah.
The commissioner said Saudi weather is going to be unfriendly hot and, therefore, intending pilgrims should, as much as possible, avoid wondering unnecessarily in the scorching sun, drink a lot of water and wear light dresses to avoid dehydration and sunstroke.
Dr Kana advised the pilgrims against taking along with them any over the counter drugs, let alone sanctioned drugs, as medicament related to all known and anticipated illnesses have been procured by NAHCON for them, lest to run afoul of Saudi laws.
He also advised them to maintain the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness to guard against outbreak of epidemics, particularly in Muna where the largest congestion occur during the annual religious event.
