Saudi Arabia Sets Health Bar for Hajj, Excludes Chronically Ill Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has announced that people suffering from chronic or serious medical conditions will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year.
According to new health guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities, all intending pilgrims must undergo medical examinations and obtain a certificate confirming they are physically fit for the pilgrimage.
The restrictions apply to individuals with illnesses such as kidney failure requiring dialysis, advanced heart or lung disease, severe liver cirrhosis, neurological or psychiatric disorders, dementia, high-risk pregnancies, tuberculosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged citizens not to register for Hajj if they suffer from any of the listed conditions. The ministry also stated that two Bangladeshi doctors participated in a Saudi-organized workshop to understand and implement the new health standards for pilgrims.
Officials said the measures aim to ensure the safety and well-being of all pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage in Mecca.
