To Reduce Sickness, Expert Doctors Plan To Visit Indonesian Congregants During Hajj In Medina

Officers checking equipment in an ambulance at the Indonesian Hajj Health Office (KKHI) in the Mecca Work Area, Friday (22/7/2022) (ANTARA/Desi Purnamawati)

JAKARTA - Head of the Hajj Health Center, Budi Sylvana, reminded pilgrims from Indonesia not to overdo their activities in open places in Medina. The reason, the weather in Medina is hotter than in Mecca.

"We need to convey to the congregation that Medina is different from Mecca, the weather is hotter than Mecca," said Budi Sylvana in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, quoted from Antara, Friday, July 22.

The second batch of pilgrims began moving to Medina from Makkah since Thursday, July 21. They will be in Medina for eight to nine days to perform the arbain worship or the 40 daily congregational prayers at the Prophet's Mosque and pilgrimage.

Budi said that because the shift of the congregation to Medina had begun, the health team had also made preparations such as reopening the Indonesian Hajj Health Office (KKHI) in the Medina Work Area.

In addition, specific health messages through the Health Promotion team (Promkes) were also encouraged, such as not doing excessive activities in open spaces where the heat was scorching, drinking a lot and eating dates to maintain the condition.

Budi added that screening is also being carried out. It even goes directly to the group level to monitor congregants with comorbid hypertension and diabetes.

"Maybe later, expert doctors will come down to the group to make sure the congregation is in a fit condition, because our goal is to reduce the congregation's pain rate. Congregational safety remains our priority," said Budi.

Some of the first batch of pilgrims have returned to the country via Jeddah. While the second wave will go to Medina and return to Indonesia via Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina.