MD RASOOLDEEN ARABNEWS
RIYADH: The Ministry Health Ministry advised pregnant mothers and patients suffering from chronic ailments to postpone the Haj pilgrimage for a subsequent occasion.
Dr. Nasreen Sherbini, health adviser on epidemic diseases, offered the advice yesterday to prospective local Haj pilgrims through the ministry’s phone-in-service conducted by its information department.
The phone-in-service began during the first week of Ramadan for the eighth consecutive year. The program conducted by the Information Center of the MOH is part of the ministry’s efforts in its awareness campaign among pilgrims to have a Haj without health problems.
The service, “Saha Ziyufur Ar Rahman,” or Health for the Guests of Allah, is available on toll-free number 800 249 4444 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800 249 4444 end_of_the_skype_highlighting during the first three weeks of the holy month. The ministry officials also help pilgrims who need online advice on Haj matters through the ministry’s website and on the social networking site Twitter @ saudimoh.
Under the program, a team of experts gives instant replies to callers who seek medical advice during their pilgrimage to the holy cities. The medical team comprises consultants, cardiologists, medical specialists, pharmacists and dentists. The program is handled by a group of Saudi women who are working in the ministry and its city hospitals here.
Sherbini said that pregnant mothers and patients suffering from chronic illnesses or ailments need comfort and regular medical treatment, which would be difficult among the large crowd of pilgrims during the Haj season. Pilgrims were also advised to use disposable shaving razor and pay special attention to personal hygiene.
She also told pilgrims to avoid congestion during the pilgrimage and advised the pilgrims to wear face masks to prevent infection transmitted from cough, cold or droplets in areas such as Arafat, Jamaarat, Makkah and Madinah.
Stressing the need for vaccination, she also said that besides the regular vaccine against meningitis, pilgrims should take vaccine against hepatitis B. She also said pilgrims suffering from hypertension diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases should take their medicines on time.
http://arabnews.com/pregnant-women-patients-suffering-chronic-ailments-told-delay-haj
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Saudi Arabia
A bit late to advice to stay away from Haj. Most Hajis are already in Saudi Arabia.