The Saudi Arabian government has announced that it will permit Hajj pilgrims suffering from chronic diseases and serious health issues to participate in the pilgrimage.
In a statement issued on Monday, Bangladeshi officials confirmed that Saudi authorities have requested countries to thoroughly check the health history of all intending pilgrims before allowing them to perform the ritual.
鈥楢ll pilgrims will have to provide a certificate that they are free from health risks and eligible to perform the Hajj,鈥� the religious affairs ministry statement said adding that a Saudi letter sent to all pilgrim sending countries detailed which condition would debar them from performing Hajj.
According to the statement the Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministry sent a letter pointing out that if main organs of someone are not functioning, he or she will not be allowed to perform Hajj.
鈥楾hese include kidney disease requiring dialysis, severe heart disease, lung disease requiring constant oxygen, and severe liver cirrhosis,鈥� it said.
Moreover, it said, people with serious neurological or mental diseases, dementia, the elderly, women in their advance stage or high risk pregnancies would not be allowed to perform Hajj.
Others to fall under purview of the restriction are people with infectious diseases like tuberculosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or any other intensive immunotherapy treatment.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah requested the countries concerned to ensure a comprehensive health check-up of every pilgrim.
Saudi Arabia has also requested pilgrim sending organisations to issue a mandatory health certificate for each pilgrim on Nusuk Masar platform, certifying that they are free from health risks.
The letter urged for full cooperation in monitoring at arrival and departure points, while monitoring teams will verify the authenticity and accuracy of the health certificate issued through the Nusuk Masar platform.
Bangladesh鈥檚 religious affairs ministry requested people to refrain from registration people suffering from chronic or other diseases and complications pointed out in the Saudi letter.
鈥楾he physical fitness is crucial for performing Hajj and Bangladesh will strictly follow the Saudi instructions regarding the pilgrims鈥� health,鈥� the statement quoted Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain as saying.
It said two Bangladeshi doctors participated at a workshop held in Saudi Arabia to get a detailed idea on the issue.
