Pneumonia Attacked Hajj Pilgrims, Commission IX Of The House Of Representatives Asks For Tightened Health Protocols

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Arzeti Bilbina, asked for health protocols for Hajj pilgrims to be tightened, following the presence of dozens of pilgrims who were reported to have pneumonia.

Based on data from the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI), as many as 99 Indonesian pilgrims were reported to have pneumonia as of May 20, 2025, and are currently undergoing intensive treatment at referral hospitals in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

"We are sorry for the existence of the pilgrims who are affected by pneumonia. We hope that the pilgrims affected by pneumonia can recover quickly so that they can carry out the pilgrimage in good health," said Arzeti, Saturday, May 24.

"We also hope that other pilgrims will actually implement health protocols as part of their own efforts to prevent themselves from developing pneumonia," he continued.

Arzeti asked the congregation to be more disciplined in implementing health protocols to prevent transmission of the disease. He suggested the use of masks, washing hands, and minimizing physical contact such as shaking hands and hugging.

"Here an important role is needed from health workers from the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic. Team assistants or group leaders must also always remind the congregation to be disciplined in implementing health protocols," he said.

Arzeti said that the factor of fatigue and heat during the pilgrimage increased the risk of pilgrims suffering from pneumonia, especially for elderly and comorbid pilgrims. He also asked Hajj health workers to be responsive and fast in assisting the treatment of infected pilgrims, as well as socializing sustainable health protocols.

"In the implementation of the pilgrimage, the fatigue factor coupled with hot weather makes pilgrims vulnerable to pneumonia. Especially for elderly pilgrims who have low immune system or congregants who have comorbidities, are vulnerable to pneumonia," he said.

The PKB legislator from the East Java I electoral district also emphasized the importance of the availability of medicines and medical readiness in the field so that disease management can be carried out quickly and appropriately.

"We hope that the congregation affected by pneumonia will recover soon and be able to carry out the pilgrimage in good health," said Arzeti.