New Delhi: After the historic reform of 2018, 4,314 Indian women will perform Hajj without their Mehrams aka male companions this year. The reform had taken away the compulsion that a woman must be accompanied by a man on the pilgrimage.
The Minority Affairs Ministry has also, in a first, made comprehensive arrangements for the health of the Hajj pilgrims with health desks at airports and medical screening by government doctors. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is also working on the arrangements for pilgrims planning to visit Mecca.
A statement issued by the ministry said that such a large number of pilgrims also poses unique public health challenges, and the medical requirements of the pilgrims in Mecca, Madina, and Jeddah must be well-cared for. This year, a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims has been allotted to India.
The first flight for the pilgrimage from India will begin on May 21.
Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya are working on ensuring comprehensive and quality services to the pilgrims. Over 10 meetings were held in the last three months and an action plan has been finalised. A format for medical screening and fitness assessment for applicant pilgrims has been sent to states.
It can be issued by any government allopathic medical doctor in the States/UTs. States and district health authorities will also set up camps for the selected pilgrims wherein the pre-departure detailed Medical Examination and Vaccination will also be provided. A health card for all the pilgrims will also be issued in these camps which will examine the selected pilgrims for their present health status, and the existing diseases/co-morbidities, if any. It is planned that the health status will be made available to the medical teams in Saudi Arabia through digital means for timely health service delivery in case of any emergency, said the statement.
The Ministry of Health will procure and provide the required number of Quadrivalent Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccines (QMMV) and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines (SIV) to the pilgrims. "Health desks will also be set up at all departing airports for coordinating the health needs of the pilgrims during the departure."
The health ministry is also sending a team of senior clinicians to Saudi Arabia to work in temporary hospitals, dispensaries, pharmacies, and camps as needed in Mecca, Madina, Jeddah, Arafat, and at the core ritual site of Mina.