148 OKU Hajj Candidates For South Sumatra Take COVID-19 PCR Tests Before Departing For The Holy Land

SUMSEL - The Health Service (Dinkes) of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency (OKU), South Sumatra (Sumsel), facilitated the PCR swab test for 148 hajj candidates from the area who were immediately dispatched to the Holy Land.

"Today, a PCR test was carried out for 148 pilgrim candidates for the Palembang Embarkation group 5 which will depart on June 29, 2022," said Head of Health Services at the OKU Health Office, Anuar Fahri in Baturaja, quoted from Antara, Monday, June 27.

He explained that the PCR swab test is one of the requirements that must be met by all prospective Hajj in Indonesia, including in OKU Regency to ensure that they are not exposed to COVID-19 while undergoing the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

For this reason, he said, prior to the departure of prospective pilgrims (JCH), his party provided a free PCR test service for JCH OKU which was held at the Kemalaraja Health Center, East Baturaja District, OKU Regency.

"In the examination, we mobilized as many as 25 medical teams because the target is one day to complete," he said.

According to him, all samples of the swab test of 148 hajj candidates were then immediately brought to the Palembang laboratory and the results would be announced on June 28, 2022 or one day before departure.

"Tomorrow, the results of the PCR swab test will be distributed to all Hajj candidates at the Palembang Hajj Dormitory," he said.

If the results of the swab test are positive, he said, self-isolation will be carried out and a re-examination will be carried out in Palembang before the Hajj candidate departs for the Holy Land.

Anuar hopes that the results of the laboratory test will not show any prospective hajj candidates from OKU who are positive for COVID-19, considering that his party and the local Ministry of Religion have given an appeal to the congregation to always maintain health and implement health protocols before departure.

"We continue to disseminate health protocols to prospective hajj pilgrims so that departures are on schedule and in good health," he said.