Hajj 2025 Friendly For Elderly And Disabilities, Here Are 4 Health Strategies From The Ministry Of Health

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia continues to strive to ensure that the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage in 1446 Hijri/2025 AD runs safely and healthily, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities.

This is in line with the 2025 Hajj theme, namely 'Land-Friendly Hajj and Disabilities', which is the direction of policy in providing comprehensive health services, both before departure and during worship in the Holy Land.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, the health profile of Indonesian pilgrims in the last two years has been dominated by the elderly. In 2023, as many as 44% of the total pilgrims are over 60 years old.

Meanwhile, in 2024, the number of elderly people will decrease slightly to 37%. However, health challenges remain high, considering that the majority of congregants have comorbidities or comorbidities.

This was conveyed by Liliek Marhaendro Susilo, Head of the Hajj Health Center, while giving a presentation at the Integrated Technical Guidance event of Saudi Arabian PPIH 1446H/2025M at Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, Jakarta on Wednesday, April 16.

"In general, it is not much different from previous years. Around 72% of Indonesian pilgrims have comorbidities," said Liliek, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Health.

"During the 2018 to 2024 period with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2022, pneumonia and heart attacks are the main health risks for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia," he continued.

Liliek added that health services at the cluster level also recorded the high number of cases of Acute Respiratory Channel Infection (ARI) among pilgrims, especially in the elderly and those with comorbidities. In addition, vigilance against pneumonia is becoming increasingly important, along with the high incidence rate of the disease.

"The latest day of data on the implementation of the 2024 Hajj or H-73 recorded that 461 pilgrims died, with the highest cause of death being heart disease at 37.9%. Of these, 80.5% were congregants aged 60 years and over," he explained.

Responding to these challenges, the Ministry of Health formulated four strategic policies that became the basis for organizing Hajj health services this year. All of these steps are designed to support the implementation of more inclusive Hajj and take into account the condition of vulnerable groups.

1. Strengthening the Congregation's Health Development in the Waiting Period

The Ministry of Health has carried out health coaching long before the departure of the congregation. This program includes health screening and coaching that are integrated with cross programs within the Ministry of Health.

Development materials are also prepared standardly, both for implementation in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia. Collaboration with various parties such as professional organizations, Hajj Guidance Groups (KBIH), and community organizations is also strengthened so that health education is more massive and on target.

2. Standard and Measurable Health Checks

The second step is the implementation of health checks that are in accordance with standards. This refers to the Decree of the Minister of Health Number HK.01.07/MENKES/508/2024 concerning Technical Standards for Health Examination in Determination of Health Istata Status for Hajj Pilgrims.

The Ministry of Health increases capacity and certifies the health audit team at the provincial and district/city levels. In addition, strengthening the health istitaah system is carried out through integration in the Integrated Hajj Computerization System (Siskohat and Siskohatkes).

3. Development of the Health Information System (Siskohatkes)

The Ministry of Health also continues to develop Siskohatkes to be more comprehensive. This year, the system will be integrated with the One Sehat platform and Electronic Medical Record (RME) to identify the health history of the congregation digitally.

Not only that, the Ministry of Health is also seeking integration with the International Patient of Summary, so that congregational health data can be accessed by health facilities in Saudi Arabia. This is very crucial in making medical decisions that are fast and right during an emergency.

4. Strengthening Health Services in Saudi Arabia

The fourth step is to strengthen direct health services at the location of worship. One of the forms is the establishment of satellite health posts in every congregational hotel in Makkah. In addition, the Ministry of Health will also place specialist doctors and health promotion workers in each sector.

To improve service quality, various modern medical equipment will be provided at the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI), including X-Ray Mobile, Ecocardiogram, Electrocardiogram, and Kit Sanitation.

With a comprehensive and data-based strategy, the Ministry of Health hopes that this year's Hajj health services can answer the challenges faced by pilgrims, especially the elderly and people with disabilities. The goal is none other than so that all pilgrims can carry out worship safely, healthily, and solemnly.