JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health held a series of socialization activities as well as health checks for prospective pilgrims in 2023 to ensure the physical and spiritual readiness of all participants.
"Health preparations must be carried out from now on by all pilgrims, not only for the elderly, considering that the pilgrimage is synonymous with physical worship," said Head of the Hajj Center (Kapus) of the Ministry of Health Liliek Marhaendro Susilo as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 6.
Departure of pilgrims this year is planned to start May 24, 2023.
Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, said Liliek, COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have still increased in recent weeks.
For this reason, pilgrims who are leaving need to be prepared to stay healthy and meet health requirements before departure.
In preparation for departure, the Indonesian Ministry of Health held a Pandemic Hajj Health Socialization which was held since April 2023 in five districts, namely Cirebon Regency, Pelelawan Regency, Kudus Regency, Bantul Regency, and Pacitan Regency.
The implementation of Socialization this time is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health's Hajj Health Center, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the provincial/district/city health office.
Liliek said the socialization activities were also coupled with health checks and fitness measurements.
Officers also conveyed a number of information regarding the implementation of hajj health starting from health checks, health coaching, Hajj vaccinations, and health protocols during the pilgrimage until they return to the country.
"Hajj pilgrims are expected to know the risk factors that exist in themselves and other risk factors that will be faced when carrying out the pilgrimage later, such as hot weather, low humidity, different cultures, residential conditions, food, and distance between cottages far from the Grand Mosque," he said.
The Head of Liliek also advised the pilgrims to perform sunnah services such as Umrah and pilgrimage while still paying attention to health conditions while in the Holy Land.
"Congregants are expected to focus on carrying out the hajj pillars and not force themselves to carry out sunnah services," he said.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the 1444 H/2023 M Hajj, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has also prepared health aspects for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The health sector is ready to serve pilgrims while in the Holy Land.
"We have prepared health care officers and facilities starting from the puskesmas level, health offices in districts/cities, embarkation/debarkation of Hajj, on trips (in groups) including in the Holy Land," he said.
In addition, hospitals were also prepared for Indonesian pilgrims equipped with medical personnel and paramedics including specialist doctors and ambulances.
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