Union Health Ministry today released a document about health services for Haj pilgrims. Health Seceratry Apurva Chandra, while releasing the document titled Medical Care Arrangements for Haj Pilgrimage said the document entails comprehensive healthcare planning for Indian Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. He informed over one lakh 75 thousand pilgrims including 40 thousand eledrly undertook the Haj pilgrimage this year and over two lakh OPDs were carried out. Medical teams also visited the pilgrims.
The Union Health Ministry’s medical care arrangements include revising the medical screening and fitness certificate for Haj applicants in India. They also provide health cards to selected Haj pilgrims for their journey and stay in Saudi Arabia, vaccines to states for vaccination camps, Health Desks at embarking points, healthcare personnel with Ministry of Minority Affairs’ (MoMA) support, and medical infrastructure at various sites in Saudi Arabia chosen by MoMA.
A live portal in this regard has also been developed by NIC that provides real-time data and analysis on pilgrims seeking medical care and the services being provided.
Consular General of India in Jeddah, Shahid Alam who joined the event virtually, highlighted that the publication of the document is vital for institutionalizing the healthcare arrangement system for Indian pilgrims. He aalso appreciated the efforts of the Indian medical personnel.
