Six Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have been confirmed dead by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The head of the NAHCON Hajj medical team, Usman Galadima, confirmed this on Saturday during a meeting of the commission in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
He stated that out of the deceased, the delegations from Osun and Kaduna States for the 2023 Hajj recorded two deaths each, while Plateau State recorded one.
Galadima also stated that 30 of the pilgrims were diagnosed with mental challenges.
According to him, they are currently receiving treatment and are expected to perform hajj.
“We have been managing them in our facilities. We have about four psychiatrists on the team. We have been managing them, and all of them would likely perform hajj because they are a bit stable now” he said.
Furthermore, he stated that the 2023 Hajj clinic recorded two miscarriages and delivered one baby.
Mr. Galadima called for the strengthening of the pre-hajj medical screening of intending pilgrims in order to address the mortality rate. He stated that there is a need to restrict those who are “not fit to travel”.
