WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE TRAVELLING TO MAKKAH?
Hajj is one of
the five pillars of Islam. Approximately 2 million Muslims go
for the Hajj journey each year most of whom come from the belt
which stretches from Morocco to Indonesia in the east, and
extends north into Kazakhstan and south to Madagascar. A great
part of this belt is endemic with communicable and parasitic
diseases that affect the health of the Hujjaaj or the pilgrim
and those who serve them at the time of Hajj at Makkah and
Madinah. As it is known, all of these Hujjaaj gather in
certain places at specified times. This can present major
health challenges to the Hujjaaj and those in charge of
organizing it. In this article, we will shed light on some
health issues and present prevention tips anyone going for
Hajj should find useful. Only those items pertaining to the
Muslims living in the west will be dealt with here.
People who are
traveling to Makkah to perform Hajj can be divided into two
groups: Healthy People and Chronically ill people
FIRST
CATEGORY: HEALTHY PEOPLE
If you are
apparently healthy - you are not currently on any medication
for chronic illnesses or you don’t have acute medical problem
- then, you should observe the following:
A –
Immunisation Requirements
Pertinent
requirement for the forthcoming Hajj season as issued by the
Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (World Health Organization,
Weekly Epidemiological Record, No. 1/2, 2/9 January 1998) are
as follows:
MENINGOCOCCAL
MENINGITIS
All Hujjaaj,
from every country of the world, are requested to produce a
certificate of vaccination against meningitis issued not more
that 3 years and not less that 10 days before arrival in
Jeddah or Madinah. Vaccination has to be carried out as
follows:
- Adults and
children over the age of 2 years must be given 1 dose of the
A/C vaccine; Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must
be given 2 doses of the A vaccine with a 3-month interval
between the 2 doses.
-There are
special requirements for those who are coming from certain
countries, like countries in the African meningitis belt. If
you are coming directly from these countries or have recently
been to them, make sure you comply with the requirements
specific to them.
-If the
authenticity of the vaccination certificate is felt to be
questionable, re-vaccination is to be carried out. Cheek your
documents before leaving the health organization that
administered your shots.
B ROUTINE
GENERAL HEALTH CHECK-UP
You will be
exerting considerable physical effort during Hajj. All Hajj
rites (Tawaf, Sa'i, etc.) require a great deal of strength and
endurance. The constant crush with hundreds of thousands of
other Hujjaj, each trying to perform the same rites at the
same time in limited spaces and very hot weather, compounds
the demands on your physical conditioning and mental
toughness. Although you may be apparently normal, some
asymptomatic diseases, might become apparent only with
vigorous physical effort. So it is worth visiting your doctor
at least one month before traveling to Makkah.
C YOU SHOULD
ALS0 KNOW EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
SURVEILLANCE
Tight control is
usually exercised at entry points and thorough surveillance
will be made for those arriving from countries known to have
diseases subject to the International Health Regulations, in
addition to isolation of suspect cases and surveillance of
their contacts. Your doctor will have the necessary
information or will be able to access it readily. He may
recommend additional immunizations in the light of his
knowledge and experience. Be sure to get an official
immunization record from your health department. Have your
physician fill it out, sign it, and stamp it.
SECOND
CATEGORY: CRONICALLY ILL PEOPLE
Hajj is a very
stressful endeavor and a worship that requires strenuous
physical effort, especially for the diabetic, the elderly and
persons with other chronic illnesses.
A DIABETIC
PATIENTS
Any diabetic
persons traveling for Hajj should: Learn about symptoms and
signs of low blood sugar and how it should be treated. They
should visit their physician to make sure that their diabetes
is under control, bring the necessary medication in proper
containers, wear protective diabetic shoes and wear
identifying wrist bands. They should also carry a brief
medical record and a signed statement from their doctor
indicating that they are taking insulin.
B HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE
Always keep one
or more extra bottles of insulin handy, and syringes with you,
at all times. A pocket or purse will do, but never leave
insulin where it is very hot or below freezing. You can use a
thermos-type jar, or you may want to buy a special storage
container. Keep unopened insulin in the refrigerator, but do
not freeze.
Once opened,
insulin may be stored in the refrigerator, for longer life, or
at room temperature. If in doubt, check with your doctor about
how best to store insulin.
C HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE
Have your blood
pressure measured by your health care provider. If your blood
pressure is under control (systolic pressure less than 130 and
diastolic pressure less than 85) by medicines, then take all
medication exactly as prescribed. Be aware that blood pressure
rises again if medication is stopped.
D OTHER
CHRONIC PISEASES
Neither chronic
disease nor advanced age is an absolute contra-indication for
travel. People suffering from chronic diseases or taking
immuno-suppressive medication should seek the advice of their
doctors. Drugs and medicines should be kept at hand so as to
avoid the risk of an accidental break in medication.
Hot climates can
exacerbate diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive
systems but may alleviate rheumatic pain and chronic
infections of the upper respiratory tract. If you are an
asthmatic patient, always keep your inhaler and rescue
medicines with you. A person with asthma needs a special plan
for overseas travel. Make a checklist to be sure you are ready
before you leave.
Contraindications for air travel include cardiac failure,
recent strokes, chest pain at rest, rhythm disorders like
atrial fibrillation, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute
mental disorders, epilepsy and any serious and acute
contagious disease. Passengers with a pacemaker should be made
aware of the possibility of induction currents on board (from
radar and electronic devices) and should take appropriate
precautions. Passengers with rheumatism, arthritis, varicose
veins and swollen legs are likely to experience discomfort on
long-haul flights. It is particularly important that travelers
with a chronic illness obtain information on the medical
facilities available in the country to be visited (Saudi
Arabia).
Last modified:
July 19, 2007
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