By Nurat Uthman
The Saudi Ministry of Health has approved the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to operate two main clinics for Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Arabi said the approval letter was received by Dr Abubakar Isma’eel, NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission for the 2024 Hajj Season.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is happy to announce that it has received approval to operate two main clinics in Makkah in the meantime.
“The Saudi Ministry of Health revealed this development through its medical consultants attached to Ithra Alkhair Company, NAHCON’s chosen service providers, otherwise known as Mu’assasa.
“The two main clinics are those located at Masfala/Kudai and Shari’e Al-Mansour areas. They serve as the medical head offices,” he said.
Arabi also said that approval to start running three other outpost clinics (Triage Outposts 1, 2, and 3) was still awaited.
“Dr A-Isma’eel expressed optimism that within the next 48–72 hours, the three outposts would also receive full approval to operate optimally.
“The proposed outposts are located at Nasarawa, Ogun/Oyo, and Borno pilgrim houses in Makkah, respectively,” the chairman explained.
He said that the GPS of the outpost locations would be made available to the Nigerian pilgrims within hours of approval.
“It should be noted that the outposts are strategically situated within pilgrims’ hotel clusters to aid accessibility,” he noted.
He said that NAHCON had already deployed its team of professional medics “who are set to provide healthcare services to Nigerian pilgrims.”
The chairman solicited the cooperation of Nigerian pilgrims for the measures put in place to succeed.
