National Tymes News Desk
AS PART of preparations for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has highlighted special medical arrangements to protect Ghanaian pilgrims who are aged, frail or in poor health during the critical rites at Arafat.
Dr. Osman Haruna Danamidji, a member of the PAOG Medical Team, explained that the measures are designed to protect vulnerable pilgrims from health complications and reduce the risk of casualties during the pilgrimage.
He said pilgrims are normally transported by bus from Arafat to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night before proceeding to Mina for the subsequent rites, including the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamaraat.
However, the medical team makes special arrangements for sick, aged and frail pilgrims by keeping them under its care instead of allowing them to join the large crowds at Muzdalifah.
“Instead of allowing them to go to Muzdalifah, where we have a lot of crowds, we should keep them with us. We will be with them, pass through Muzdalifah and proceed straight to Mina, where we will spend the night,” Dr. Danamidji explained.
He said the following morning, members of the medical team perform the pebble-throwing ritual, known as Ramyu, on behalf of the vulnerable pilgrims.
According to him, the arrangement is intended to reduce casualties and prevent vulnerable pilgrims from getting lost or suffering health complications during the demanding rites.
“This is to reduce the number of casualties because, if we allow them to go, most of them may not know their way and could get missing. They are also at risk of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and respiratory tract infections. The medical team has therefore decided to adopt this arrangement to protect them from these conditions,” he stressed.
The report also conveyed greetings from Dr. Abdul Samed Tanko, Head of the PAOG Medical Team and a member of the PAOG Board.
The PAOG Communications Directorate said the special arrangements highlight the importance of the ongoing mandatory medical screening for the 2027 Hajj.
The screening is intended to identify pilgrims who may be at greater risk of health complications early enough for the necessary medical assessments, support and care plans to be put in place before and during the pilgrimage.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
