In a significant stride towards ensuring the health and safety of Nigerian pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially inaugurated the principal officers of the National Medical Team and constituted the Medical Committee for the 2025 Hajj operations. This move underscores NAHCON’s commitment to delivering efficient and effective healthcare services to all intending pilgrims, as preparations for the annual spiritual journey gather momentum.
The inauguration ceremony, held at NAHCON headquarters, brought together an assembly of medical experts, policymakers, and critical stakeholders, all charged with the responsibility of reviewing and refining the National Medical Team Guidelines for the 2025 Hajj. Professor Abubakar Yagawal, NAHCON Commissioner for Personnel, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Service (PRSILS), expressed profound confidence in the newly inaugurated team, emphasizing that their selection was based on merit and their proven track records in medical service delivery. He reminded the team that their work would directly impact the wellbeing of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims, who are considered guests of Allah during their stay in the Holy Land.
Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dumbulwa, who chairs the committee, acknowledged the critical nature of the assignment and assured that the team is poised to adapt and implement new directives effectively. He highlighted the annual tradition of updating medical protocols to meet evolving challenges, stating, “This is not the first time we are taking on such a mandate. Last year, we faced similar challenges and achieved remarkable outcomes through collaboration and expertise. I am confident that we can replicate and exceed those successes.” The committee’s terms of reference are robust, including reviewing the 2025 guidelines, forecasting and assessing costs for drugs and consumables both onshore and offshore, aligning medical allowances with international standards, and ensuring compliance with new Saudi medical policies.
Furthermore, the committee is tasked with establishing emergency medical services at Hajj camps, supported by the Federal Ministry of Health, and enhancing coordination between federal and state agencies under a unified leadership. There is also a renewed focus on cardiovascular health and other pressing medical concerns, ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive world-class medical attention throughout their pilgrimage.
NAHCON has also announced the commencement of the online application process for the 2025 National Medical Team, calling on qualified medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and environmental or community health officers to apply. The process is strictly voluntary, in line with international standards, and all successful applicants are expected to serve for up to 28 days in Saudi Arabia, with a total stay of up to 45 days to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage for the pilgrims. The application process is transparent and free, with stringent eligibility criteria to guarantee only the most competent hands are selected for this critical national assignment.
With over 43,000 pilgrims expected to participate in the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON’s proactive approach in inaugurating the medical team and committee well ahead of the main operations is a testament to its dedication to safeguarding the health and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims. As the airlift of pilgrims is set to commence on May 9, 2025, and conclude by July 2, all hands are on deck to ensure a seamless, spiritually fulfilling, and medically secure Hajj experience for every Nigerian pilgrim.
This renewed focus on medical preparedness and the robust collaboration between federal and state agencies signal a new era in Hajj operations—one where the wellbeing of every pilgrim is not just a promise, but a priority delivered with precision and professionalism.
