The Leader of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) medical team, Usman Galadima, has disclosed that chickenpox, psychiatric, heat stroke, malaria and diabetes emergencies were detected among Nigerian pilgrims during Misha’ir at the 2023 Hajj.
Galadima, who disclosed this in Makkah on Sunday during a post-Arafat meeting, also revealed that thirteen pilgrims from Nigeria have so far died in the course of the Hajj.
Recall that Politics Nigeria had earlier reported that six pilgrims died before the commencement of the Misha’ir period.
In his presentation, Mr Galadima said seven pilgrims died before Misha’ir, while another six died during the Misha’ir. This means six pilgrims died within five days— four in Arafat and two in Mina.
Osun and Kaduna recorded two fatalities each, while Plateau, Kaduna, Borno Yobe, Lagos, and Benue recorded one each. Furthermore, private tour operators recorded three casualties.
To reduce the mortality rates, Mr Galadima recommended that elderly pilgrims and those very sick should be discouraged from going to Jamarat, the site of the stoning of the devil.
He noted that pilgrims should be encouraged to use the Jamaraat train services and that there should be thorough pre-Hajj medical screening with the issuance of a certificate of medical fitness.
He, however, assured that those with health-related diseases have been referred to Saudi hospitals for treatment.
