ZHUL-QI’DA 27, 1429 A.H.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2008
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Hajj: Sponsors of elderly, sick face prosecution in Kano --S/Dinki
From HASSAN MUSA K/MATA, Madina
Overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of elderly and mostly sick people coming to the Holyland for Hajj, Kano state Hajj Medical Committee has resolved to take sponsors of such pilgrims to the Hajj Tribunal for prosecution in order to discourage this attitude in future.
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Ado Hamza S/Dinki, who dropped the hint while addressing newsmen in Madina yesterday, observed that such people, considering their age and health condition can not even fend for themselves, talkless of performing the rigorous Hajj exercise.
He cited the example of an 80-year-old pilgrim (nameswithheld) having urology problem and had protostomy a week before departure from Nigeria to the Holyland, whom he said was believed to have been taken away from the hospital just while he was recovering.
Dr. S/Dinki pointed out that from the investigation carried out, the octagenarian had a cathetra removed by a quack doctor and therefore had no urine control.
Similarly, he added, there was also a case of a 73-year-old woman who was seriously ill and had to be hospitalised at the intensive care unit of Al-Ansar Hospital in Madina.
The chairman then called on the authorities concerned to always ensure that only people who are physically fit to undertake the Hajj exercise are allowed to come to the Holyland.
The chairman who is also the Chief Medical Director, Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital, Kano said arrangements have been made to cater for Kano pilgrims, both in Makka and Madina.
In another development, Saudi minister of health, Hamad Al-Manie has said that all arrangements to offer medical and emergency services to pilgrims have been put in place.
“The ministry is fully geared to offering preventive, curative and emergency health services of the highest standard to pilgrims in Makkah, including the holy sites of Muna, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Madinah in line with the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdallah and Crown Prince Sultan,” Al-Manie was quoted saying in a statement issued in Madina, Sunday.
The minister said the new arrangements include 138 health centers and 24 hospitals with a total of 3,939 beds at the holy sites (Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah) supported by a fleet of 150 ambulances.
He said that 14,000 units of blood and blood derivatives of all types have been stocked to meet with any emergency.
“More than 10,000 medical workers, including doctors and paramedics, have been hired for the Hajj service, while over 100 specialist doctors from Pakistan and Jordan and 247 nurses from Malaysia have been hired especially for Hajj,” the minister said.
Zafar said 13 hospitals in Jeddah with 2,200 beds and 11 hospitals in Taif with 1,800 beds will back up the Makkah hospitals.
He said doctors are hired for Hajj duty from Muslim countries every year in order to benefit from the clinical experiences in these countries. The medical contingent will be assisted by 2,000 administrative personnel, he added.
Zafar said four emergency centers inside the Grand Mosque have been upgraded and equipped with up to date medical equipment and that a fifth one was opened outside the Haram.
“These centers will provide emergency services and will refer critical cases to the nearby Ajyad General Hospital or to other hospitals in Makkah,” he said.
Al-Manie confirmed that rigorous steps have been taken to implement the preventive health care program for the pilgrims. The instructions of the World Health Organization are strictly followed at all entry points to prevent carriers of infectious diseases from entering.
“The program includes measures for early detection of any pilgrim developing symptoms of infectious diseases,” said Al-Manie.
According to the statement, besides these preventive steps, health officials are keeping a constant watch on outbreaks of infectious diseases in different parts of the world. The ministry issues appropriate instructions to pilgrims coming from such places.
Trained health workers with advanced equipment to detect symptoms of such diseases are posted at all entry points.
“If any cases are detected they are put in quarantine and are given treatment. Moreover, uncompromising steps will be adopted to stop the disease from spreading,” the minister said.
“In view of the millions assembling at a limited space, the ministry has established seven hospitals and 74 health centers with the most advanced medical equipment and medicines, staffed by highly-qualified doctors and paramedics,” Al-Manie said.
He said the ministry’s plans to face emergency situations and first aid operations include the computer-aided projections of likely emergency situations and training teams to make the required rapid response to such situations.
Special medical teams with doctors, nurses and drivers will be kept ready for rapid response on the Jamrat Bridge, especially on the days of the stoning ritual.
Moreover, mobile and station clinics have been set up, while addresses and mobile phone numbers of all the doctors and nurses have been pasted at the rented apartments of the pilgrims in case of emergency situation.
