Four flights are set to bring some 1,000 intending haj pilgrims and officers to Madinah Al-Munawwarah from May 23 to 26, head of haj medical officers Dr Haji Mohammad Athaaillah bin Haji Abdullah said.
He said this during a Doa Selamat ceremony for haj medical officers and intending haj pilgrims from the Ministry of Health (MoH) at its premises yesterday.
Dr Haji Mohammad Athaaillah said, “Health screenings, including blood tests and body checkups, have been conducted for the intending haj pilgrims.
“Those aged 50 years and above have also undergone ECG heart tests and heart X-rays. These screenings aim to enhance the health of the pilgrims, ensuring they are able to perform their rituals comfortably and in good health.”
He added that haj medical officers also underwent an intensive course to strengthen their medical knowledge, focusing on handling major medical emergencies and disasters. “First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training was provided to the medical officers from handling companies, to equip them with lifesaving skills in emergency situations until a professional medical team arrives.”
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, the guest of honour at the ceremony, presented letters of appointments to haj medical officers as well as donations to 38 intending haj pilgrims from the ministry. The medical officers also received special bags. This year, 20 haj medical officers comprising six doctors and 14 nurses will join the pilgrimage.
They will be protected under the Duyufur Rahman Takaful Scheme, which provides haj pilgrimage-related coverage spanning from personal accidents, medical expenses and travel inconvenience to medical assistance and repatriation.
The ceremony continued with the presentation of a mock cheque from Insurans Islam TAIB and a souvenir from Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd. Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin; Acting Managing Director of Perbadanan TAIB Dr Norfarizal bin Othman, who is also member of the board of Directors of Insurans Islam TAIB Holdings; Acting Managing Director of Insurans Islam TAIB Holdings Sdn Bhd Haji Mohd Yusreza bin Haji Mohd Yassin and Managing Director of Darussalam Holdings Haji Mahmud bin Haji Mohamed were also present. – James Kon
