Hajj Repatriation Begins, House Of Representatives Commission IX Asks Ministry Of Health To Supervise Congregational Health At Airports

Candidates for Hajj from West Kalimantan headed for the bus during the release event in Pontianak before heading to the Holy Land, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (ANTARA PHOTO-Jessica Helena Wuysang)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Nihayatul Wafiroh reminded the importance of thorough monitoring and health checks for pilgrims who had just returned from the Holy Land. This is an anticipatory step in preventing the spread of diseases, especially those that are infectious.

"I ask the Ministry of Health to stand by at all airports to anticipate the return of pilgrims," said Nihayatul, Thursday, June 12.

"Health checks must be a top priority so that disease spread from abroad, be it ARI, MERS-CoV, or other infectious diseases," he continued.

The woman who is familiarly called Ninik appealed to all health check facilities at the airport, especially at the arrival health post to function optimally. Starting from body temperature detection devices, screening facilities, to medical personnel must be prepared adequately.

"We must not be careless. Airport is the starting point for the entry of pilgrims into the country. If the examination equipment is not optimal, we can be missed and it is dangerous for public health," he said.

The PKB legislator also appealed to the Ministry of Health and related agencies to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination, including with airport authorities and the Health Quarantine Center (BKK) to ensure that the implementation of inspection procedures runs smoothly and does not interfere with the comfort of the congregation.

"Health of the congregation after Hajj is our common responsibility. Not only to protect those who have just returned home, but also to all Indonesian people," concluded Ninik.

As is known, the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) through the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (Ditjen PHU) has released a complete schedule for the 1446 H/2025 M Hajj Travel Plan (RPH), including the return time of pilgrims to the country. This document was signed directly by the Director General of PHU Hilman Latief on January 3, 2025.

Referring to this schedule, the return of Indonesian pilgrims will last for one month, starting on June 11, 2025 and ending on July 11, 2025. The average residence of Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is 41 days.