Deaths Of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Still High, Dominated By Heart Disease And Pneumonia

Illustration of pilgrims (Pexels/Anas Jawed)

JAKARTA - The death of pilgrims in Indonesia is still relatively high. In 2024, there were 461 pilgrims from Indonesia who died.

"Last year, the death toll for our house was 461 people. This is still quite high," said Dr. Mohammad Imran, MKM - Head of the Hajj Health Examination Working Team, at the event "Recognize and Fulfill the Recommendation for the Prevention of Breathing Infectious Diseases for Hajj & Umrah Pilgrims", in Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The highest cause of death for Indonesian pilgrims is heart disease, reaching 37.9 percent. The second highest cause of death was due to lung disease, which is dominated by pneumonia.

The most common is the group of heart disease, heart attack. Then, the second highest group of causes of death is lung disease, which is of course the most pneumonia," he explained.

Another cause of death for pilgrims is shock due to infection, lack of fluids, stroke, kidney failure, and cancer. Doctor Imran said that most of the diseases had been suffered by pilgrims before leaving for the Holy Land.

For the age group of pilgrims who died at most aged over 60 years, namely 80.5 percent. 50.1 percent are pilgrims with risti or risk of serious illness and 31.7 percent are moderate risk.

Thus, health checks for pilgrims who will depart in 2025 must be carried out even better. Hajj pilgrims are required to carry out a thorough health check, especially vaccinations for prevention of infectious diseases, especially for respiratory diseases. In addition to physical examinations, health checks for Hajj pilgrims also include mental health.

"Not only physical health, but also following mental health and the ability to carry out light daily activities," added Doctor Imran.