By Stanley Onyekwere
Intending Pilgrims for this year’s hajj from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are to go through a 3- Day compulsory medical screening organised by the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (MPWB).
To this end, all intending pilgrims from the board must be screened at the permanent hajj camp, Bassan Jiwa near the Nnmadi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, before embarking on the spiritual journey.
The Board said the exercise to be held in batches starting tomorrow (Saturday and ending on Tuesday) would enable it have a comprehensive medical record and health status of the intending pilgrims especially with the current Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia.
Disclosing this in a statement yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Muhammad Aliyu, said the exercise was in line with the directives by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to screen intending pilgrims and attain their medical record before leaving the country.
He disclosed that intending pilgrims from Abaji and Kwali Area councils are scheduled to be screened tomorrow (Saturday) while those from Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area councils would be screened on Sunday.
The statement also explained that intending pilgrims from Bwari and Gwagwalada Area councils would have their screening on Monday, while those registered at the headquarters are to be screened on Tuesday respectively.
According to the statement, all the intending pilgrims are therefore expected to report to the venue for the exercise along with their evidence of payment in the morning on the stipulated dates for the medical screening.
The spokesperson warned intending pilgrims to participate in the exercise as failure to attend may warrant losing of hajj seat for this year.
He said intending pilgrims within the venerable age bracket especially the aged and minors may be advised to suspend their trip to Saudi Arabia this year because of the outbreak of the disease.
Furthermore, he stressed that pregnant women would not be encouraged to perform the hajj in accordance with Saudi regulations and the NAHCON’s policy as regard to pregnant women.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
