Haj pilgrims get health tips
abu dhabi — A campaign that will provide medical counselling and health advice as well as free seasonal flu and pneumococcal vaccines to Haj pilgrims, was launched by the local health authorities on Monday.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) launched this year’s Haj campaign in cooperation with the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for Health Centres and Clinics, said the campaign was being carried out to reduce pilgrims’ exposure to health risks and prevent the spread of diseases while performing Haj.
Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, director of the Public Health Department at HAAD, said: “Believing that prevention is better than cure, the authority calls upon all pilgrims wishing to perform Haj this year to take all preventive measures to keep them safe and protected from potential infectious diseases. Overcrowding of pilgrims from different parts of the world and interacting with people of different cultures, races and ages, can pose different health risks.”
“We encourage pilgrims to undertake the necessary vaccinations prior to travelling, while also practising personal hygiene, getting enough rest and adequate intake of fluids,” she said.
Al Hajeri added that all UAE citizens and residents of Abu Dhabi can receive the necessary vaccinations free of charge at most of the HAAD health centres.
Dr Elham Al Nuaimi of the DHA stressed the need for pilgrims to obtain necessary vaccinations before traveling for at least 15 days, as one of the most important ways to prevent infectious diseases.
“If recommended vaccinations are not obtained and the outbreak of the disease is associated with
We encourage pilgrims to undertake the necessary vaccinations prior to traveling” Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, director of Public Health Department at HAAD
the pilgrimage season, pilgrims may bring the disease with them to their countries of origin, leading to the possibility of global outbreaks of a disease in the future,” she said.
The ministry advised that people aged 60 years and above, chronically ill, children and pregnant women, and those with HIV are advised to postpone Haj or Umrah this year for their safety. They also said that children participating in Haj should be up-todate with their basic vaccinations.
If any symptoms of respiratory infection are observed 14 days after returning from Haj or Umrah, visit the nearest health centre, they added.
For list of health centers offering Haj vaccinations, please visit www. haad.ae/vaccine Or call 800 555.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com