By Mikail Mumuni in Makkah
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Sunday announced that it has been granted approval by the Saudi Arabian authorities to commence operation at its two main clinics in Makkah.
Announcing the development, NAHCON said in a statement that “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is happy to announce that it has received approval to operate two main clinics in Makkah for the meantime. The Saudi Ministry of Health revealed this development through its medical consultants attached to Ithra Alkhair company, NAHCON’s chosen Service Providers otherwise known as Mu’assasa.
“The two main clinics are those located at Masfala/Kudai and Shari’e Al-Mansour areas. They serve as the Medical Head offices.
“The approval letter was received by Dr. Abubakar Adamu Isma’eel, NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission for the 2024 Hajj Season.
“Meanwhile, approval to start running three other outpost clinics (Triage Outposts 1, 2 & 3) is still being awaited. Dr A. A-Isma’eel expressed optimism that within the next 48-72hours the three outposts would also receive full approval to operate optimally.
“The proposed outposts are located at Nasarawa, Ogun/Oyo and Borno Houses respectively.
“The GPS of the outpost locations will be made available to the Nigerian pilgrims within hours of approval. It should be noted that the outposts are strategically situated within Pilgrims’ Hotel clusters to aid accessibility. NAHCON has already deployed its team of professional medics who are set to provide healthcare services to Nigerian Pilgrims. Accordingly, the Commission solicits cooperation of the Nigerian Pilgrims for the measures put in place to succeed.”
The Commission had earlier on Wednesday, 29 May, 2024, expressed exasperation over the delay in granting the approval.
As an interim measure, it called on Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah requiring medical attention to visit Saudi Arabian medical facilities closest to them, explaining then that no participating nation in the current Hajj had been granted approval to run their clinics.
