This year, however, the new policy direction changed, requiring approval to be given after the arrival of pilgrims and officials of participating countries only after the arrival of pilgrims and inspection of their clinics usually within the precincts of their hotels.
Some of the disenchanted and ailing pilgrims who spoke to Vanguard feared that the situation could affect the overall well being of the pilgrims ahead of the main Hajj rites, begging the Saudi authorities to consider the health of pilgrims above all other considerations and give approval as quickly as possible.
A frail looking pilgrim, from the FCT who came into the Daru Fahad hotel assisted by two other pilgrims seeking medical treatment said: we are utterly disappointed, we had thought we would get treatment here, but we were told clinical service has not started, referring us to where we don’t know. We are pilgrims here and don’t know anywhere other than our Mission and state officials. I am in pain, I don’t even know what is wrong with me.
Another pilgrim who complained of toothache lamented he couldn’t sleep as he was riddled in pain. He had to resort to self medication this morning, by applying salt solution to the ailing tooth.
He noted that the disappointment of not getting immediate solution to an unhealthy condition could aggravate the pain any ailing pilgrims go through, adding that if care is not taken, this development may be counterproductive as the health and well-being of pilgrims may grow worse.
“Some because of this situation may resort to self-medication or remain adamant to seeking medical services and this may worsen their condition. So, for me, I beg NAHCON to push for quick approval in order to avert deteriorating health conditions of pilgrims ahead of the journey to Masha’ir and Hajj proper,” he said
A 65 year old woman assisted by two other female pilgrims was also referred to Saudi Specialist hospital. One of her helpers who managed to speak English indicated they didn’t know any nearby hospital, worried why officials could not even give them first-aid treatment or drugs before referring them to any Saudi clinic.
She said: “One woman immediately referred us to the Saudi clinic saying no clinical service is available here. But we were asked to come here for treatment. There is no even first-aid treatment, let alone getting drugs to ease the condition of the pilgrim.”
A few days ago, the Medical Committee under the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) advised pilgrims already in Makkah and need to access medical services to seek medical assistance from any of Saudi Arabian General or Specialist Hospitals nearer to them, adding that “Saudi Arabia Health Ministry is yet to grant any participating country.
A statement by the commission singed by Hajia Fatima Usara reads in part: “This advice has become necessary because the Saudi Arabian Health Ministry is yet to grant any Hajj participating country the permission to start running clinics in Makkah. Any pilgrim having difficulty in locating such hospitals is advised to contact any of our National Medical Team members (NMT) as soon as possible.
“Meanwhile, All NAHCON clinics in Makkah are fully staffed and equipped awaiting approval from the Saudi Government – Makkah MoH. Hence as soon as the host country grants authorization, the clinics will start running 24/7 in its normal tradition. In the meantime, ALL pilgrims are advised to shun self-medication, please,” NAHCON said.
