Two Nigerian pilgrims partaking in the ongoing 2023 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia have been confirmed dead.
Similarly, another pilgrim was amputated while three women had miscarriages.
The National Hajj Commission’s head of Medical Team in Saudi Arabia, Dr Usman Galadima, who confirmed the incidents said the first male pilgrim from Nigeria to pass on, died few days ago in Makkah while the sencond person which was a woman died today (June 20, 2023) also in Makkah.
The late female pilgrim, Rabiatu Aliyu with registration number KD 149 TR was from Igabi Local Government in Kaduna Slstate.
Dr Galadima disclosed that six NAHCON medical clinics in Saudi Arabia have attended to over 11, 000 patients since the beginning of the operation, saying that commnon ailments discovered are respiratory tract infections, cough, sour throats, pains in the legs and joints, malaria, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
According to him, “Since we started the operation, we have attended to about 11,000 patients in both Makkah and Medinah.
“We have had severally cases that required emergency sitation and they were referred to Saudi Arabia Hospitals” he said.
Dr Galadima explained further that most of them don’t come to the clinic to complain as quickly as possible, adding that when that happens, they come with complications.
“We also have a large number with complications of these chorionic illnesses. Someone came with what is called diabetes foot and had to have her foot amputated yesterday (Sunday), otherwise she was at risk of losing her live”.
“What we have also noticed now is people falling in the bathroom and we have four cases we are treating. You know the floors are tiled and slippery. Especially the elderly are at risk of that” he added.
The Head of Medical Team also lamented the high number of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia for the 2023 pilgrimage, a situation he described as worrisome.
