Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Netty Prasetiyani Aher asked for the health protection of the 2026 Hajj pilgrims to include medical and nutritional readiness so that it will be tightened in the midst of extreme weather in Saudi Arabia which is reported to reach temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius.
According to Netty, the extreme temperature conditions must be the main concern of the Government because they have the potential to increase the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, severe fatigue, and worsen the condition of pilgrims with accompanying diseases.
"Extreme weather in Saudi Arabia with temperatures that can reach 45 degrees Celsius is not a trivial matter. This is a serious challenge for the health of pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities. Therefore, health mitigation must be prepared much more strictly and measured," Netty told reporters, Wednesday, May 13.
Netty also urged the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to conduct a thorough audit of the availability of medicines, the readiness of health workers, to the standardization of nutrition to anticipate health risks during the implementation of the hajj. In addition, Netty emphasized the importance of an audit of medical logistics readiness, especially for pilgrims who have underlying diseases.
"We ask the Ministry of Health to ensure that stocks of drugs for degenerative diseases such as hypertension, heart, and diabetes are not only available in sufficient quantities, but also distributed evenly in each batch. Don't let there be pilgrims who have trouble accessing their regular medications while in the field," said Netty.
Netty also asked the government to strengthen education on preventing the impact of extreme hot weather on pilgrims before departure, including adequate hydration patterns, recognition of symptoms of heat exhaustion, use of personal protective equipment such as umbrellas and body coolers, and arranging physical activity during peak heat.
"The congregation must be equipped with adequate understanding of the signs of dehydration, dizziness, excessive weakness, skin feels very hot, to decreased consciousness. Early detection of these symptoms is very important so that treatment can be done quickly," said Netty.
This member of the DPR Health Commission highlighted the composition of the pilgrims, which is still dominated by the elderly group. According to Netty, the vision of the Elderly Friendly Hajj that has been announced by the Government must be realized concretely through the strengthening of medical personnel and a more intensive health monitoring system.
"Hajj 2026 must continue to carry the spirit of Elderly Friendly Hajj. Commission IX emphasizes the importance of more personal medical assistance for pilgrims with vulnerable health conditions. Officers must be proactive in picking up the ball, not just waiting at the post," he said.
Not only the medical aspect, Netty also pays great attention to the quality of food intake of pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia. "Pilgrims' nutrition is the main foundation of health. In extreme weather conditions, the need for fluids, electrolytes, and nutritious intake becomes increasingly crucial. It requires strict supervision of the standardization of catering menus to meet the adequacy of calories, hygiene, and the nutritional needs of pilgrims," explained Netty.
The PKS legislator from the West Java VIII constituency hopes that the government can learn from the evaluation of the previous years' implementation so that the management of the 2026 Hajj health will be much more mitigative, responsive, and adaptive to the challenges of extreme weather.
"Hajj is a physical worship that requires excellent physical endurance. The state must be present to ensure that all health efforts are carried out to the maximum so that pilgrims can worship safely, healthily, and devoutly," said Netty.
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