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28 March 2024

UAE Haj pilgrims: Health checks mandatory

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By Staff

As Haj travel plans gain momentum, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has launched an awareness campaign focusing on the safety of pilgrims, in conjunction with the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (Haad) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Essential vaccination shots, along with health advisories for the elderly and those suffering from chronic illness and cardiovascular diseases, are being circulated as part of the campaign.

The campaign also includes medical advice combatting heat exhaustion, awareness about healthy foods, personal care, provision of emergency medicine, etc.

Get your health checked

Dr Fatma Al Attar, Director, International Health Regulations Office, Mohap emphasised the importance and significant value of the unified actions taken by all related entities to ensure health and safety for all pilgrims.

She also added that the campaign comes in line with the Ministry’s strategic objective as it caters for development of preventive healthcare system in the UAE in order, to ensure full protection and control of infectious diseases.

In addition, she highlighted the importance of getting the right medical advice before going to pilgrims, and emphasised on all primary healthcare physicians are ready and available to respond to any inquiry by the convenient medical advice in order, to avoid all related health problems, such as: heat exhaustion and physical stress which can increase the chances of developing certain diseases while performing Haj rituals.

The Mohap also pointed out that it was mandatory to stick to healthy diet, with an educational booklet also issued for people with chronic conditions like diabetics and patients with heart diseases, to avoid getting ill.

Shot in the arm

The Ministry has advised pilgrims should be inoculated against meningitis, pneumococcal, and seasonal influenza, with the stockpile of these vaccines now replenished to meet demand.

Dr Laila Al Jasmi, Head of Vaccination Department, at Mohap, focused on the importance of vaccines as an effective precautionary measure, adding it was for this reason it is now mandatory to opt for meningitis vaccine and to obtain a valid International Certificate of Vaccination.

Health experts recommend to take vaccine 15 days prior to your travelling date to ensure it is effectiveness.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, Director of the Communicable Diseases Department at Haad, said stressed for pilgrims on the importance of getting the recommended vaccination’ shots due to potential high risk of infectious diseases that might be encountered by them.

She added this could also reduce the potential risk of developing these diseases among vulnerable groups like above 65 years old and those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetics, chronic renal or pulmonary diseases, organ transplantation or bone marrow transplantation and leukemia.

“Furthermore, Meningococcal vaccine is specifically recommended by Saudi Ministry of Health as a prerequisite for all pilgrims before entering the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” she stressed.

Dr Nahed Alyousef, Director of Preventive Medicine Division, DHA, said: “We strongly advice anyone planning to go for Haj to undertake the necessary preventive actions which would help them to perform their rituals without medical problems.”

She also explained the consequences of not getting the recommended vaccines before travelling to Haj as there is a great potential risk for disease outbreak during the season and that may even lead to other outbreaks due to transmission of that disease to pilgrims’ countries, which also escalates the hazard for global health.

Other recommended important optional vaccines included both seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccines especially for the most vulnerable groups, such as elderly or patients with anemia, sickle-cell anemia, HIV, and chronic diseases.

At the end of the press conference, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, UAE and all concerned health authorities strongly advised every pilgrim to consult with the nearest primary healthcare physician to his place of residence in order, to be sure of his/ her medical fitness to travel and do pilgrim’s rituals.

In addition, to do the following: get the required vaccinations, experts advised people stick to healthy diet and be vigilant about food hygiene to avoid any related stomach disorders, and not to ignore visiting the medical doctor whenever developing any symptom or sign.

Other key health recommendations include:

• Take rest when feeling travel sickness, dizziness and nausea.

• Avoid direct exposure to the sunlight, especially at midday hours by using an umbrella as head protection and humidifying the body with water.

• Drink plenty of liquids to remain hydrated especially while moving.

• Patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are advised to take related medicines along with self-examination devices to monitor blood pressure and blood sugar level.

• Elderly patients with any chronic disease that requires specific attention are advised to travel with a companionship who will be experienced in handling related medical emergency to that chronic illness.

• Make sure to carry medicines related to most common complains like Paracetamol (Panadol) for headache and body aches, antiseptics for wounds or skin lesions and ointments for burns.

• Upon feeling of fatigability or severe stress immediately discontinue any activity and if the feeling persisted, then you must visit the nearest healthcare centre.

• Never forget your personal hygiene stuffs such as: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sewak and comb.