June 25, (THEWILL) – At least five Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2023 Hajj have died in the course of the exercise, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed on Sunday.
The head of the NAHCON 2023 Hajj medical team, Usman Galadima, said 30 patients equally have mental health challenges.
Galadima said the delegations from Osun and Kaduna states for the 2023 Hajj recorded two deaths each, while Plateau State recorded one.
He called for the strengthening of the pre-hajj medical screening of intending pilgrims.
“What we are asking is that the pre-hajj medical screening should be strengthened. Any particular pilgrim is either fit or not fit to perform hajj. It is a pre-requisite for the hajj, to be healthy and have the means. We advocate for strong or very effective pre-hajj screening for hajj.
“There are 30 of them with mental health challenges. We have been managing them in our facilities. We have about four psychiatrists in the team. We have been managing them and all of them would likely perform hajj because they are a bit stable now,” he said, adding that the 2023 Hajj clinic recorded two miscarriages and delivered one baby.
“One of the babies was delivered through the Caesarian section – it was a seven-month pregnancy,” he said.
Galadima, who disclosed that one patient was amputated due to diabetes complications, said the team is also worried about the rising cases of fractures among older pilgrims.
He said eight cases of fractures have been recorded by the medical team.
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