2017 Hajj: FCT MPWB begins medical screening of intending pilgrims
Intending Pilgrims for this year’s hajj from the Federal Capital Territory are to undergo a compulsory medical screening by the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja.
A statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu, said all intending pilgrims must be screened at the permanent hajj camp, Bassan Jiwa near the Nnmadi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja before embarking on the spiritual journey.
The PRO said the exercise was in line with the directives by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to screen intending pilgrims and ascertain their medical record before the journey.
He disclosed that intending pilgrims from Abaji and Kwali Area council are scheduled to be screened on Tuesday 18th July, 2017, while those from Kuje and Abuja Municipal (AMAC) area councils would be screened on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Muhammad Lawal Aliyu also explained that intending pilgrims from Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils would have their screening exercise on Thursday, July 20, 2017.
He stated that all the screening exercises would be carried out at the permanent hajj camp and directed intending pilgrims to report to the venue with their evidence of payment from 8 o’clock in the morning on the stipulated dates for the medical screening.
The spokesperson warned intending pilgrims to participate in the exercise as failure to attend may warrant losing of hajj seat for this year. He added that the exercise would enable the board have a comprehensive medical record and health status of the intending pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the board is to conduct inoculation of the intending pilgrims from Friday, July 21, 2017 with pilgrims from Gwagalada, Kwali and Abaji Area Councils. The spokesperson added that intending pilgrims from Kuje, Bwari and Abuja Municipal (AMAC) are to receive their vaccination on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 8am at the permanent hajj camp.
He explained that Intending pilgrims are expected at the venue with their original evidence of payment for the exercise and warned that the vaccination would enable the board secure Yellow Cards for the journey.
Similarly, intending pilgrims who did not submit their e-passport stand the risk of losing their seats as the board would soon complete its visa procurement from the Saudi Arabian embassy while airlift is due to commence in few days to come.
He warned that the board commenced the preparation in earnest to ensure successful hajj operation and delay in the submission of the e-passport would not be allowed to mar the goal of the administration.
