Contrary to online media reports, the head of 2017 Hajj Medical Team, Dr. Ibrahim Khana, has said that “over 35,000 doses of anti-malaria drugs were procured and transported to Saudi Arabia” by the hajj Commission.
Kana, who stated this recently while reacting to a speculation from some quarters of the media that pilgrims suffering from malaria ailments were left unattended to, said several doses of different anti malaria combination (ACTs, SO and arthemether injection) analgesic of assorted were already in both Makkah and Madina.
He said: “The national medical team has also established clinics in Makkah, Kudei, Sharah Hijrah, Shara Mansoor that housed the central Pharmacy store. Other clinics runs by the medical team can be located at Gombe House, Ajyad.
“NAHCON also creates 24/7 medical services centres in Outpost 1- Markaz ELYAS hotel 1, City Centre, 11th floor, Rooms 1140 and 1141 and Rooms 704 and 705 of Guest Time Hotel, Western centre.
“In addition, the commission had earlier provided emergency and ambulance numbers to pilgrims via their respective states pilgrim’s boards as follows: +966562208434 and +2348035959280.
“Meanwhile, 450 medical personnel that would attend to the pilgrims’ medical care were recruited by the Commission. Out of this, 20 members of the national medical team were part of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims’ officials to arrive Saudi Arabia on July 29, 2017, with another 45 personnel who has joined them to provide medical needs to pilgrims.”
According to him, “for the first time, the national medical team is providing medical services for both states and tour operator pilgrims free-of-charge.”
