The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed the death of a male Nigerian pilgrim in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON also stated that another pilgrim was amputated in Madinah while three women had miscarriages and others in critical condition.
Commission’s head of Medical Team, Dr Usman Galadima who stated this in an exclusive media chat with Blueprint said six operational NAHCON clinics have attended to 11,000 patients since the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the 26th of May, 2023.
The commission through the Head of Medical Team had lamented the high number of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia for the 2023 pilgrimage.
Also, in the data made available Monday, as of press time, AERO flight with registration number NIG8055 that departed Kaduna to Madinah at 1:02 pm with 473 Kaduna pilgrims and 1 official. The commission has airlifted 63,448, with 151 flights out of 75,000 prospective Nigerian pilgrims.
Dr. Galadima said due to many underlines ailments and some attitudes displayed by pilgrims, many are in critical condition and undergoing medical care at their 6 operational clinics.
He said, “Since we started the operation we have seen about 11,000 patients in both Makkah and Medinah.”
He said the common ailments are respiratory tract infections, cough, sour throats, pains in the legs and joints, malaria, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
He said, “We have had severally cases of that some requiring emergency resuscitation and referral to Saudi Arabia Hospitals.”
Dr Galadima added that, “Most of them don’t come to the clinic to complain as quickly as possible. So, when that happens, they come with complications.
“We also have a large number with complications of these chorionic illnesses. Somebody came with what is called diabetes foot and had to have her foot amputated yesterday (Sunday), otherwise she was at risk of losing his live.
“What we have also noticed now is people falling in the bathroom and we have 4 cases we are treating. You know the floors are tiled and slippery. Especially the elderly are at risk of that.”
