Hajj & Health

1. Hajj & Health

2. Overview • Introduction. • Hajj & health  • Health Guidelines (Before – During – After Hajj). • Hajj Vaccinations. • Chronic Diseases and Hajj. • Woman And Child. • Health Regulations. (prevention & control of infectious disease) • Hajj Health Companion. • Resources.

3. Hajj • is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims which must be carried out at least once in lifetime by all adult Muslims.

4. Total number of pilgrims ((الحجاجfrom 1425 - 1434 http://www.cdsi.gov.sa/2012-10-29-06-31-56Central Department of Statistics and Information in KSA

5. Total number of pilgrims from 1425 - 1434

6. Hajj & Health

7. Health Guidelines (Before – During – After Hajj )

8. Before Hajj • Pre-Hajj Health Tips: • Taking the necessary vaccinations, especially the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. • Seeing a doctor before travelling to verify of your health stability, and ability to perform the Hajj. • Taking sufficient medications, especially in case you suffer from one of the diseases that require you to take medications regularly, such as heart diseases, hypertension, kidney diseases, asthma and diabetes http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/BeforeHajj.aspxMOH

9. Cont…. • Bringing enough cloths, since you'd better change your cloths regularly and repetitively to maintain your hygiene. • Carrying a detailed report of the medical diagnosis of your case, and the required medications and doses, to help follow up your case when need be • Be sure that your personal bag includes the necessary cleaning tools and supplies (towel, shavers, tooth paste and brush, umbrella, loose cotton cloths, moisturizing creams, etc.). http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/BeforeHajj.aspxMOH

10. Cont…. • In case you’re a diabetic, be sure to have a blood sugar measurement device. • It is advisable to move your legs every now and again while sitting in the plain or bus, and walk for a while every hour or two hours, to avoid kibe (swollen feet). • In case you're suffering from persistent cough for more than two weeks, you have to undergo the necessary before travelling to be sure that you don't have tuberculosis. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/BeforeHajj.aspxMOH

11. Hajj Vaccinations Obligatory to people coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic Obligatory Obligatory only for immunocompromised people coming from areas where polio virus is endemic. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/BeforeHajj.aspxMOH

12. During Hajj • Health Tips to Be Followed During Hajj: First: Health Tips for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims  • Hygiene and General Cleanliness • Shaving and Hair cutting • Protection Against Food Poisoning During Hajj http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/DuringHajj.aspxMOH

13. Second: Common Diseases during Hajj  • Respiratory diseases. • Gastrointestinal (digestive) diseases. • Food poisoning. • Dermatology (skin diseases). • Dry eye. • Sun strokes and heat exhaustion. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/DuringHajj.aspxMOH

14. Remember:that the Hajj is a precious opportunity to give up smoking, you should capitalize on successfully. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/DuringHajj.aspxMOH

15. After Hajj • Post-Hajj Health Tips: A considerable number of pilgrims undergo some of the common symptoms after the Hajj such as: strain, muscle pains and aches, headache, cold, laziness, irregular sleep, and complexion-darkening. And such symptoms result from exposure to sunlight beams, excessive movement without adequate fitness, and getting infected with cold and influenza. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/AfterHajj.aspxMOH

16. Here are some pieces of advice related to your health and the health of those living along after returning to your country safely. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/AfterHajj.aspxMOH

17. If you were suffering from flu, make a point of not transmitting the infection to others through sneezing or coughing; and this is through following these preventive procedures • Using handkerchiefs to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, then throw them away in the wastepaper basket. • Making a point of washing hands repeatedly in a correct way. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/AfterHajj.aspxMOH

18. And you should do the following  • Taking a great deal of rest and drinking fluids, as this helps you recover, God willing. • Taking analgesics when needed. • Seeing a doctor when necessary. • If you found out during the Hajj that you would suffer from a specific disease such as diabetes or hypertension, make a point of seeing a doctor and taking the necessary steps after returning from the Hajj. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/AfterHajj.aspxMOH

19. Chronic Diseases and Hajj http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

20. 1-heart and hypertension •  Health tips  • To see the doctor to make sure of the ability of performing the hajj and to give you the proper health tips. • To make a point of always holding your medicines, storing them in a proper way and in a proper, easily reachable place. • To adhere to take medicines at a regular basis and on time • If you were of those conducive to sustain Angina pains, you should consult the doctor holding your Nitroglycerine tablets. • Not to expose for any excessive physical effort and use the wheel chair during the Tawaf . • Not to expose to the excessive reactions and nervousness. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

21. 2- Diabetics • Health Tips  • To be interested in putting a bracelet around the wrist or holding an identification card indicating that the or she is a diabetic patient. • To make a point of bringing glucose meter to determine the glucose rate daily and regularly. • To make a point of taking an enough amount of the diabetic medicine. • To make sure of keeping the insulin cool during its moving and storing. • To make a point of, during the Hajj, wearing a snug pair of socks to protect your feet from any ulcers, and avoiding walking barefoot. • If complications: such as the inflammations, skin ulcers occurred, you should consult the diabetes doctor. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

22. Cont…. • Remember  Stop temporarily performing the rites if you felt the glucose reduction symptoms such as severe fatigue, sudden hunger, blurring, or excessive sweating; and see if you could go on performing the rites or not. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

23. 3- Asthma • Health tips  • To see the respiratory diseases doctor. • To adhere to taking medicines regularly whether they are tablets or inhalers. • To take a great deal of rest repeatedly and avoid overcrowded places. • To wear face-mask when needed. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

24. 4- Epilepsy • Health tips  • To inform the convoy's doctor with your illness to perform his or her duty when necessary. • To make a point of bringing an enough amount of the medicines. • To avoid excessive strain and reactions. • To make a point of always bringing any of the relatives or friends along while performing the rites in anticipation of any emergency. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/ChronicDiseases.aspxMOH

25. Woman And Child http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/WomanAndChild.aspxMOH

26. The Hajj is a hard journey and requires great effort. And woman has their own status during the hajj; they could be pregnant, experience the menstrual period, or suffer because of their physical configuration from excessive hardship. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/WomanAndChild.aspxMOH

27. 1- Menstrual Period • Each woman has their own nature, so they must consult the gyncaecologist to recognize suitable medicines, helping them perform the Hajj rites smoothly and easily. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/WomanAndChild.aspxMOH

28. 2- Pregnant Women • It is recommended postponing the Hajj for the pregnant woman for the following reasons  • They could experience some complications such as inflammations or be vulnerable to any infection. • They are likely to sustain sun strokes. • They are likely be vulnerable to physical exhaustion as a result of walking for long distances. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/WomanAndChild.aspxMOH

29. The pregnant should postpone Hajj in the following cases  • Preterm birth disease history. • Early miscarriage cases. • Suffering from pregnancy diabetes. • Heart and hypertension diseases or kidney patients and others http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/HealthGuidelines/Pages/WomanAndChild.aspxMOH

30. Health Regulations http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

31. First: Regulations must be met by visitors to obtain an Entry Visa for Hajj and Umrah: 1- Yellow Fever.2- Meningococcal Meningitis.3- Poliomyelitis.4- Seasonal Influenza. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

32. Second: Health Education • Health authorities in countries of origin are required to provide information to pilgrims on infectious diseases symptoms, methods of transmission, complications, and means of prevention. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

33. Third: Food Material • Hajj and Umrah performers are not allowed to bring fresh food in Saudi Arabia. Only properly canned or sealed food or food stored in containers with easy access for inspection is allowed in small quantities http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

34. Fourth:  Special Precautions to MERS-COV • The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that elderly (above 65 years of age) and those with chronic diseases (e.g. heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease, diabetes) and pilgrims with immune deficiency (congenital and acquired), Malignancy and terminal illnesses, pregnant women and children coming for Hajj and Umrah this year, to postpone the performance of the Hajj and Umrah for their own safety. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

36. Fifth: Health Requirements Concerning Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)  • In response to the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in West African countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) the following protective measures should be applied: • No visa to the KSA for Hajj, Umrah. • To make sure that all visitors to KSA at point of entries (air, sea and ground) fill the Ebola screening card before entering the KSA. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspxMOH

38. Hajj Health Companion

40. Resources; • http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/default.aspx • http://www.cdsi.gov.sa/2012-10-29-06-31-56

41. Done by; Mohammed Alwahibi Khalid Alsdhan WaleedAlkhamis AbdulazizAlsaif AbdulazizAlshabibi ZaidAlhamdan TalalAlawaji

42. Thanks