By SUWAIBA AHMAD, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Nigeria?s Minister of Health, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, visited the Nigerian Hajj Affairs Office yesterday, Monday, March 24, 2025, to discuss healthcare support for Nigerian pilgrims with the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Prof. Pate emphasized the Federal Government?s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for the 2025 Hajj pilgrims through a three-phase approach: pre-Hajj, during Hajj, and post-Hajj. He assured that his ministry would provide essential medicines, medical equipment, and Yellow Cards in a timely manner. He reiterated the government?s priority of safeguarding the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims.

In his welcome address, NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, expressed gratitude to the minister for honoring the invitation to inspect the commission?s medical facilities in Makkah. He also appealed for additional support from the Federal Government, particularly in providing ambulances critical to Hajj operations.

Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, NAHCON?s Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services, echoed this request, highlighting that the available ambulances were non-functional and urging the minister to facilitate their replacement.

During the facility inspection, Prof. Pate reaffirmed the necessity of having functional ambulances for Hajj operations. Acknowledging the limited time before the Hajj season, he assured that his ministry would act swiftly to address urgent healthcare needs. He also reaffirmed the government?s continued support in providing adequate medical assistance for Nigerian pilgrims.

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