By Abubakarr Bah, Information Attache, Saudi Arabia
The Head of the Medical Team of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, Dr. Idris Tejan has said that the 1445/2024 Hajj pilgrims from Sierra Leone are generally faring on well in Makkah. Dr. Tejan spoke to this writer to clarify concerns that there had been an outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during the 1445/2024 Hajj.
“Our clinic is operating on a daily basis except on Sundays. We have been treating pilgrims with various illnesses relating to respiratory infections, body pains, diabetes, common cold, and fatigue, which are usually common during the annual pilgrimage,” Dr. Tejan said.
He disclosed that two pilgrims had to undergo successful surgeries because of some acute surgical conditions, adding that the two patients have been discharged from hospital and now awaiting to travel back to Sierra Leone.
Head of Mission of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Saudi Arabia Ambassador, Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh, said that the medical personnel of the Presidential Hajj Task Force have been doing tremendously well in attending to ailing pilgrims. He described this year’s Hajj as very successful.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Health Ministry has said that no Covid-19 infections were reported during the 1445/2024 Hajj which was held between the 8th and 13th of the Islamic month of Dhul Haijjah, 1445 (14th and 19th June, 2024).
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Saudi Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership: “Thanks to Allah, and through the unwavering support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the close follow-up of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, I am pleased to announce the success of the health plans for this year’s Hajj season,” he said.
This year’s Hajj recorded at least 1,300 deaths due to heat temperatures which soared as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, authorities say.
A total of 638 pilgrims from Sierra Leone participated in this year’s (1445/2024) Hajj in Makkah. So far, a total of 637 Hajj pilgrims from Sierra Leone are doing well in Makkah. The Sierra Leonean contingent of Hajj pilgrims lost ONE (1) of their compatriots, Abu S. Gbawie. Mr. Gbawie passed away in Madinah, a week before the commencement of the Hajj rituals.
However, Five (5) Sierra Leonean-American Hajj pilgrims, who were part of the American contingent, reportedly died during this year’s Hajj.
For more enquiries: information.attache@sa.slembassy.gov.sl