Health Issues During Hajj-DO’s and Don Not’s …

Health Issues During Hajj-DO’s and Don Not’s … Getting Ready for Hajj - Physically, Mentally and Spiritually. Welcome, prospective Hajji, to a unique journey. With the Hajj season 2023, here are some essential things pilgrims should prepare before embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage.GAWAH EXPRESS 11TH JULY2023 Getting Ready for Hajj -. How I wish I could be one of those walking to those holy sites donning the Ihram, echoing the “LABAIK,” with the crowd, a dream cum true position of circumambulation around Kabbah, walking with humility between Safa and Marwah. Staying In Mina, then let my tears fall on the plains of Arafat, that sunset prayer which promises salvation lies here, and let my head on the blessed ground of Muzdallifah and take my pebbles and pelt the most condemned by Lord, the damned Satan take my pebbles and pelt the hated-one., and see the Kabbah ,perform the Tawaf .The feeling of presenting myself at the resting place of my beloved at Medina Munawara, and the tranquillity I am assured of at this sacred land . Oh Allah swt , with this ache to be amongst those who You have chosen and called this year for this journey of faith let our names be amongst those called next year. Aameen. This journey is an invitation from your Lord to visit His House and engage in one of the most illustrious acts of worship. He picked you out of millions of people to travel across the world and ask for forgiveness in the best place on Earth. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to work on making your Hajj accepted by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala (exalted is He). This means that you fulfil all the requirements and avoid all the actions that nullify Hajj such that you come back home purified from all sins.The hajj is all about overcoming your “self” throughout the day/night of the hajj, the pilgrim is cut off from his normal routine of life. Hajj selfie won’t bring anyone anywhere. Taking such selfies and videos defy the wish of our Prophet, and distract you from the “khushoo (concentration) in ibadah and fulfilling Hah rites . “O Allah, I ask of you a pilgrimage that contains no boasting or showing off. Hajj Pilgrims Can Make Use Of Underlying Important Tips About Common Problems Encountered During Hajj And Their Prevention And Treatment. The pilgrims who have the intention of performing pilgrimage are advised to adhere to the following precaution. The Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued recommendations for visitors traveling to Saudi Arabia for the purposes of Hajj, or seasonal works in Hajj areas during 1444H (2023) to comply with local preventive regulations and procedures. For all countries required vaccinations, further instructions on these vaccinations against the mentioned diseases can be received from all state Health dispensaries. 1. MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Persons suffering from permanent diseases like diabetics, high blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney or respiratory problems should contact their physicians for a complete check-up, receive enough medication to cover their stay outside the country and obtain a medical report on their condition. Those on dialysis should carry in addition serology reports; Hepatits B,C and HIV free certificates to have hemo-dialysis on infection free machines. 2.Commo Surgical problem Sometimes simple things, Hernia, Piles, when not tackled in time deprives a person from performing hajj- sometimes whole group suffers because of sickness of group member ;in many cases we have seen relatives are forced to leave that pilgrim behind and proceed for hajj rites ;this causes great inconvenience so I request hajjis before they leave for this journey of faith please see a doctor you don't have hernia or piles as chances of it getting entrapped during hajj are very high and this condition needs emergency operation so this should have been operated moths before of hajj now if you can’t operate ,don’t bend excessively or lift heavy weight or wear truss with consultation of your Doctor. Piles-they get constricted or swollen during hajj because of constipation, change in dietary habits and excessive walking and pile masses may come out of anal canal and start bleeding -a simple operation before a few months could have avoided all this .Now those pilgrims who are suffering from piles should avoid constipation , take mild laxatives and also do some diet modifications like avoiding chilies, spices and red meat . Gastrointestinal symptoms, like hyper acidity, loose motions need knowledge and safe practices of pilgrims regarding food and water usage. Those hajjis having complaints like hyper acidity should regularly take antacid medicine -the chance of bleeding or getting perforated during hajj is high, all this needs emergency operation and you will be deprived of Hajj-so take medicines regularly, avoid chillies and spicy food. Renal and ureteric colic (loin pain) due to stones in kidney and ureter are precipitated by dehydration are very painful conditions- seek doctors’ advice before journey of Hajj , avoid dehydration. Elderly patients having prostate issues should take medicines as prescribed by their treating doctor. Retention of urine is a bigger problem ,and one may have to pray with a catheter. Gallbladder diseases in laparoscopic era are easy to tackle, they should have been tackled before few months of hajj –as during prolonged fasting the gall bladder gets swollen and gets diseased and painful which may require emergency operation, so if you are still having stones avoid fatty food and on getting pain consult the Mission doctor. General Instructions: Wear masks to protect your respiratory system as you are facing a crowd of multinationalism, use sunglasses, if possible, to protect your eyes from sunlight, dust and infections. Female pilgrims should consult the gynaecologists regarding advice about their periods or gynae problems before travel. Use umbrellas while going out at noon for Mid-day Prayer. Avoid as far as possible strenuous activities, unnecessary physical efforts in the hot weather. Consume a lot of liquids to avoid ice cold drinks. If you feel any dizziness, go to a cool place and drink liquids, if still there is no change, consult a physician. Since most of the time you are standing or sitting in vehicles- whenever you get time keep your legs up (preferable upon pillow) for some time to avoid dependency swelling of feet and legs. Food and water-borne diseases (FWBDs) are a health risk at the Hajj mass gathering. Before having your food, ensure the food is hygienic, utensils are clean, and your hands are clean. Check the production and expiry dates on all canned foods, drinks, and milk. Do not buy cans that are bulging, dented, or rusted. Dispose of any food that has changed colour, smell, or taste in dustbins . First aid Medicine Kit for Hajis. Doctors from Indian Haj Missions of respective countries and from MOH KSA are available at high alert 24x 7 to help you at all Holy sites, but Disease doesn’t respect place and time. It is worthwhile for a Hajji to carry a small first aid kit in a quantity not beyond personal use.If hajji is on any Medication, look for manufacturer’s instructions, medicines like insulin need a cold chain during travel better to carry a prescription from treating doctor with name of Medicines in both Generic and Brand names. Please refrain from self-medication please don’t hesitate to ask for help from them. EVERY where there are well equipped hospitals, health centres with well trained & experienced staff knowing many languages with modern ambulances available for Hajis. Some useful medicines in no way replacement to seek Physician help to carry as a first aid kit are; to have Small amount one or two strips of Anti diarrheal; Loperamide/Imodium; ORS(Oral rehydration packets).Sore throat, cough & Upper respiratory tract infection is seen commonly in Hajis so preferably non sedative antihistamine like cetirizine, loratadine, cough lozenges equivalent is useful. Throat lozenges with honey is a bonus.)Pilgrims having acidity or known peptic ulcer should carry antacid tablets like Digene or tablets of like Pantoprazole alone or in combination with domperidone as acidity is precipitated due to change in diet. Anti vomiting; like ondansetron (Ondem) domperidone. Constipation is one of the common problems during Hajj pilgrimage due to change in diet, mild laxatives like Dulcolux; cremaffin, Loose (lactulose).For muscle swelling or headaches, or fever Paracetamol tablets is handy though they are available freely as Panadol on every shop. For back ache or joint pain like complaints Diclofenac sodium , Aclofenac,Brufen or equivalent , preferably enteric coated should be taken with food. Some strips of common antibiotics like; Augmentin (amoxil+clauvenic acid) ,Azithromycin, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, class of antibiotics known as cephalosporin like cefuroxime , indicated for treating a wide range of bacterial infections of respiratory ,urinary tract, and gynaecological infection can be part of your first aid kit. Pilgrims with Diabetes cannot sense pain due to impaired nervous sensation of the feet , this may lead to foot wounds causing difficulty for pilgrims to perform hajj rituals. Diabetic patients should take care of their feet and prevent injury by not walking barefoot on hot Saudi roads. ALERT! Drug trafficking is a serious offence in the Kingdom and carries capital punishment so carrying of narcotics, sedatives, and addictive drugs are prohibited. All luggage is scrutinised at airport entry check points and medicines beyond personal quantity can be stopped at customs following instructions of MOH KSA and Country’s Hajj delegation’s instructions. If you need to carry any medicine which you need to take for your illness, have a prescription for it & show it to customs officials. Although Doctors and paramedics speaking English, Urdu language are present everywhere and also included in the Hajj delegation team of India , please carry your medical records preferably in both generic and brand names to have appropriate treatment. Last but not least, Stay safe, Physically, Mentally and Spiritually, keep us and your community in your duas, May Allah accept your Hajj(HAJ MABROOR ) wish you healthy safe return to your families aameen (Dr Fiaz Maqbool Fazili , served as Senior Consultant and Group leader for Treating Hajj pilgrims for almost three decades at King Fahad Hospital Madina Munawara; can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com) --