Government Pays Special Attention To High Risk Hajj Pilgrims

Head of PPIH for Health Mohammad Imron conveyed his presentation in the Integrated Technical Guidance of PPIH Saudi Arabia in 1444 H/2023 M in Jakarta, Friday (14/4/2023) night. (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - For pilgrims with high risk, including those who have a history of heart disease and lung disease, they will get special attention from the government.

In the Integrated Technical Guidance Committee for the Organizing Hajj (PPIH) of Saudi Arabia in 1444 H/2023 AD in Jakarta, Friday (14/4) night, Head of PPIH for Health Mohammad Imron said that members of the congregation with high risk would receive special supervision from officers.

"High risk groups get supervision not only (in terms of) health, but also physical activity," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, April 15.

"One of the most critical categories is pilgrims with a history of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The enemy is physical activity. Walking, going stairs, can trigger shortness of breath," he added.

Therefore, he said, members of the congregation with high risk are advised to use wheelchairs or electric scooters so they don't get tired too quickly.

He also explained that this year's Hajj health services include health promotions, medical services, to sanitation and food supervision.

He said that health promotion officers would provide counseling to members of the congregation at high risk as well as their head of the squad at hotels, mosques, Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

"In Medina, there are no prayer rooms and all five-time prayers in the Prophet's Mosque. Unlike in Mecca, the hotel has a prayer room, so counseling is easier, (because it is easier for congregations) to collect and provide counseling," he explained.

In the city of Medina, he said, officers would take time to conduct counseling within the Prophet's Mosque.

In organizing medical services, the Indonesian Hajj Health Office (KKHI) provides emergency services, outpatients, hospitalizations, specialist doctor services, medicine services and medical supplies, referral services, wuskuf safaris, and tanazul.

In addition, there is an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) tasked with serving pilgrims at health clinics available in the special sectors and sectors as well as Arafah and Mina.

There is also a Health Drug and Supplies Team tasked with managing, procuring, and distributing medicines and medical supplies for health services for pilgrims.

The government has also deployed a Food Sanitation and Supervision Team to carry out environmental health inspections and supervise food provision for Indonesian pilgrims.

"I ask everyone to work together and fill each other in," concluded Imron.