The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has confirmed the death of 6 Nigerian pilgrims who were taking part in the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Head of the NAHCON 2023 Hajj medical team, Usman Galadima, had made this confirmation on Saturday, June 24, during the commission’s meeting in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The delegations from Osun and Kaduna States for the 2023 Hajj had affirmed the deaths of two individuals each. Plateau State had also recorded a death.
The Hajj clinic had also recorded two miscarriages but had delivered one baby.
In addition to the mortality rate, Galadima had reported that 30 patients with mental challenges had been diagnosed, and are presently undergoing treatments.
In a bid to address this mortality rate, Galadima had demanded that the pre-hajj medical screening of intending pilgrims should be strengthened so that those not fit ti travel would not be allowed to fly to Saudi Arabia.
One can hope that this is looked into. 30 individuals going to Hajj with pre existing medical conditions is alarming to say the least. Were any checkups done prior to individuals boarding the flight or would regulations now be made to proper screen for these issues before approving the individual? Only time will tell.
