‘Get clean bill of health before going on haj pilgrimage’

KUALA LUMPUR: It is every Muslim’s dream to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam, namely performing the haj in the Holy Land.

There is every reason to be joyous when a person gets the chance to undertake the pilgrimage but pilgrims must first make sure that they have made thorough preparations for it in terms of their health and religious obligation.

Good physical, as well as mental, health is of utmost importance if one wants to get the best out of the pilgrimage.

Every pilgrim, irrespective of age, must make sure they are in sound health long before they go on the pilgrimage.

They can have their health status assessed by going for various medical tests, including those required by Lembaga Tabung Haji ( TH) before they embark on their haj pilgrimage.

And, as per the requirements of Saudi Arabia, they must also get the Meningococcal Quadrivalent Vaccine ACYW-135 vaccination to protect themselves against meningitis.

The vaccination can be done at any clinic or hospital.

Prospective pilgrims suffering from asthma, diabetes, lung or kidney or endocrine disorders are encouraged to get vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus to protect themselves against bacterial infections that can cause serious inflammation of the lungs.

They can seek the advice of a specialist or medical officer to find out more about the immunisations concerned.

The change in climate can affect a person’s physical and mental health, especially for those aged between 60 and 69.

Health care Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang director Dr Saiful Azlan Shariff stressed that the health aspect was something a pilgrim could not afford to take lightly.

In fact, it should be given due emphasis as soon as the person has decided to go on the haj.

This is because the pilgrim may be in good health before he leaves for the Holy Land but the situation may change once he gets there.

“The change in climate can affect a person’s physical and mental health, especially for those aged between 60 and 69,” he said, adding that the hot weather conditions were not suitable for child pilgrims.

The current 1439H/2018 haj season is set to be particularly challenging for the 30,200 Malaysian pilgrims as temperatures in Saudi Arabia are expected to hit 50 degrees Celsius.

Having been a member of the medical team accompanying the TH haj group eight times in the past, Dr Saiful Azlan said based on his experience the senior citizens among the pilgrims were the ones who had the most health woes like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

“Apart from that, the Malaysian pilgrims are also prone to diarrhoea, as well as lung infection caused by fever, cough and flu.

“There are also pilgrims who have musculoskeletal (muscle) issues due to all that walking they have to do ... rarely do they walk so much in their homeland,” he explained.

He recalled an instance when he had to attend to a pilgrim who suffered a stroke, as well as a severe headache, after failing to take his hypertension medication.

There were also cases of pilgrims who did not take their diabetes medication properly and ended up having to go for dialysis due to kidney failure.

“In fact, there was also a pilgrim who suffered from chronic diabetes and was forced to have a leg amputated,” he added before urging pilgrims to be heedful of their health by taking their medications regularly. Experienced medical team Dr Saiful Azlan had served as head of the medical team for the TH haj group in 2016 and was deputy head of the team for three other TH haj groups.

Members of the medical teams accompanying the Th haj groups are appointed from among experienced medical staff attached to the Ministry of Health.

The medical team for the annual haj season is made up of about 251 health personnel, comprising specialists in various fields, paramedic staff and medical support staff.

“They are all experienced and are able to provide excellent services to the pilgrims, even though they are stationed far away from their country,” he said.

According to Dr Saiful Azlan, the medical team is divided into a few groups, with each group assigned to a specific location and given their own duties.

Prior to leaving for Makkah, the team members are required to undergo a couple of courses to foster team spirit and enable them to have in- depth knowledge of their duties and responsibilities whilst serving with the medical

Here are some tips for pilgrims who will be undertaking their haj pilgrimage soon:

• Before leaving for the Holy Land, make sure your health is stable by undergoing a medical examination by a registered medical officer.

• Bring all your medications with you.

• To get used to all that walking you have to do in the Holy Land, start a fitness regime early and exercise regularly.

• When in the Holy Land, try not to expose yourself too much to the searing heat.

• Drink a lot of water, reserve your energy and take care of your health, especially for ‘wukuf’ day. • Don’t visit the camel farms. • After returning from the Holy Land, pilgrims are advised to go for a medical check- up at any government clinic or hospital. — Bernama

Dr Saiful Azlan Shariff, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang director

team.

The medical team usually leaves for the Holy Land before the first haj flight arrives from Malaysia so that they have enough time to set up the Tabung Haji Hospital and clinics.

The team members are stationed at strategic locations, including the airports in Malaysia, the Holy Land, Jeddah and Madinah.

In Makkah and Madinah, the medical team will be on duty at the Tabung Haji Hospital, as well as clinics or zones close to where the pilgrims are staying.

“All the arrangements are made carefully to ensure that the Malaysian pilgrims are given the best health services,” added Dr Saiful Azlan. — Bernama