The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has concluded all arrangements for about 400 medical personnel to cater for 2019 Hajj exercise.
NAHCON’s Chief of Operations for 2019 Hajj, Dr Muhammad Abdulkadir, who spoke with journalists in Madinah, said the personnel include 140 doctors, 190 nurses and 70 pharmacists among others to ensure effective healthcare services for the pilgrims.
According to him, the commission had established three First Aid Centers to provide primary healthcare for the pilgrims, added that those that required specialized attention would be referred to Al-Ansar General Hospital.
“28 members of the National Medical Team were already on ground in Madinah to work with the other personnel expected to come from various states to perform the joint task.
READ ALSO: 2019 Hajj: First batch of 534 Kano pilgrims transported to Holy land
“The team was prepared to work before and after Arafat in Makkah and Madinah,” Mr Abdulkadir said.
He, therefore, advised pilgrims to maintain healthy lifestyle during their stay, and also implored them to maintain clean environment to boost their wellness in Saudi Arabia.
He also urged the pilgrims to avoid eating foods that they were not used to so as to avoid constipation in the Holy Land.
While underscoring the need for them to stay away from sun in view of the hot weather to avoid dehydration and other attendant health consequences, he further advised the pilgrims to take adequate water to replace water loss.
“Avoid over exerting yourself, maintain personal hygiene, make sure your room is well ventilated. “When there is heat, temperature will rise. They (pilgrims) must avoid hot sun.
“The pilgrims should reserve energy to go for Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Ishai prayers at Prophet’s mosque.
“The pilgrims also need to abide by the rules and regulation of Saudi authorities and bath at least once a day so that other nationals would see us as a good people,” he noted.
Mr AbdulKadir, who said the commission, had observed fatigue due to stress among the pilgrims, expressed readiness of the medical team to attend to them.
“We have fairly adequate drugs, we have on-shore and off-shore supply of drugs,” he added.
