Intending pilgrims are advised to seek adequate medical examinations to treat any infection that could be spread to fellow pilgrims ahead of the 2017 Hajj exercise.

Salamatu Abubakar, a volunteer member of the medical enlightenment team of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board, made the call on Sunday, during the 14^th week enlightenment exercise at Rigachikum Enlightenment Center for Igabi Local Government intending pilgrims.

“Women may contract infection through use of contaminated toilet because of the multiple use of toilet by the pilgrims in the Holy land,” she said.

She advised pilgrims to go for medical examinations and ensure proper treatment to avoid spread of the infection during Hajj.

She said past experiences revealed that, many innocent female pilgrims ended up returning home with infection and transmitted to their spouses due to carelessness of others who travelled with the infection.

“This is rather unfair and insensitive on the side of pilgrims who know they have such “nfection and refused to treat it before embarking on the exercise.

"Intending Pilgrims Welfare Board should also imbibe the culture of cleaning toilets with disinfectants before use, to safeguard themselves from the infection,” she said.

She advised the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and the State Pilgrims Boards to intensify enlightenment campaign and other drastic measures to ensure a healthy Hajj operation.

“NAHCON and State Boards are doing their best in the area of health enlightenment, but, I urge them to also intensify effort on this silent health challenge,” she added.

Sani Dalhatu Sani, Zonal Coordinator, Zone 2 of Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, advised both old and new intending pilgrims to take the enlightenment exercise very seriously.

He said a screening will be conducted and only those with record of attendance of the enlightenment programme will be eligible to perform Hajj.

•Photo by Garba Ahmed shows Igabi Local Government intending pilgrims at the enlightenment center in Rigachikum, Kaduna State.

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