By Haruna Gimba
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has directed all intending pilgrims to 2016 Hajj to Saudi Arabia from the state, to go for mandatory medical test.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, gave the directive in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
The pilgrim’s board spokesperson said the medical test was necessary because no intending pilgrim would be allowed to travel to the Holy land without knowing his or her health status.
According to him, the mandatory medical test is in compliance with the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He said all state pilgrims welfare boards must ensure that intending pilgrims undergo medical test to enable the board to know their health status.
“The form was designed by NAHCON and pilgrims must attend the screening at the designated government hospitals. Each pilgrim is expected to go to the designated hospital with his or her Hajj payment receipt for easy identification.
“The forms have already been distributed to the hospitals with the names and pictures of the intending pilgrims. What is required from them is to go to the designated hospitals where their forms are sent and attend the screening exercise,” he said.
Nuhu Badamasi said the exercise is expected to end within the next two weeks.
Health Reporters gathered that about 5,600 intending pilgrims from the state are expected to perform the 2016 Hajj to Saudi Arabia.
