*Says female Sokoto pilgrim dies, buried in Madinah
As at Tuesday 31 July 2019, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has airlifted 27,466 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, so far. The latest flight of Max Air VM3005 departed Bauchi for Madinah with 550 pilgrims.
This was disclosed as Head of Medical Team of the Commission, Dr. Hamidu Liman, spoke briefed journalists in Madinah, on Tuesday.
It was disclosed that the pilgrims were lifted from Nigeria in 56 flights from different airports in the country, even as Liman said that Quest Time Hotel, the venue of one of the health centres put in place by the NAHCON, treated 2,500 pilgrims being the highest number so far treated since 2019 Hajj season was declared open.
In the meantime, an elderly female Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto State has reportedly died in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, few days to the commencement of 2019 Hajj rites.
Dr Liman, who passed this information during the press briefing, did not identify the deceased but said that she had an ailment at home in Nigeria before embarking on the trip.
On discovering her health condition while being attended to at one of the NAHCON medical centres, he said she was later referred to Al Ansar Hospital, Madinah, where she died, four days ago.
According to Liman, the deceased was buried in Madinah after her family was contacted.
“The deceased developed an illness from Nigeria, we attended to her but when her condition did not improve, we referred her for special attention at Al Ansar hospital, Madinah.
“We lost her in the hospital four days ago.
“I would advise intending pilgrims to ascertain their health status before embarking on pilgrimage because it involves lots of energy-sapping activities.
“They are urged to do physical exercise before embarking on pilgrimage, to ensure they are physically fit for the exercise,” he said.
Liman said that three other pilgrims had fracture; one with pathological fracture while two others accidentally fell on the floor due to slippery tiles and were treated.
He identified major health challenges confronting Nigerian pilgrims to include fatigue, headache, hypertension and asthma.
He said the commission has established four health centres in various locations in Madinah to handle pilgrims’ minor ailments.
The head of the medical team said pilgrims with special medical cases were referred to tertiary hospital for further medical attention in agreement with Saudi Government to treat such cases free of charge.
According to him, there are ambulances and adequate drugs for pilgrims’
basic ailment.
He urged pilgrims to rest and minimise shopping with a view to coping with the rigour associated with Hajj rites.
