Saudi Ministry of Health has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to operate two main clinics for Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah.
Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Arabi said the approval letter was received by NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission for the 2024 Hajj, Dr Abubakar Isma’eel.
“NAHCON is happy to announce that it has received approval to operate two main clinics in Makkah in the meantime.
“Saudi Ministry of Health revealed this development through its medical consultants attached to Ithra Alkhair Company, NAHCON’s chosen service providers, otherwise known as Mu’assasa.
“The two main clinics are those located at Masfala/Kudai and Shari’e Al-Mansour areas. They serve as the medical head offices,” he said.
Arabi also said that approval to start running three other outpost clinics (Triage Outposts 1, 2, and 3) is awaited.
“Dr Isma’eel expressed optimism that within the next 48–72 hours, the three outposts would also receive full approval to operate optimally.
“The proposed outposts are located at Nasarawa, Ogun/Oyo and Borno pilgrim houses in Makkah, respectively,” the chairman explained.
He said the GPS of the outpost locations would be made available to pilgrims within hours of approval.
“It should be noted that the outposts are strategically situated within pilgrims’ hotel clusters to aid accessibility,” he noted.
He said NAHCON had already deployed its team of professional medics “who are set to provide healthcare services to pilgrims.”
The chairman solicited the cooperation of Nigerian pilgrims for the measures put in place to succeed. (NAN)
