Lagos Conducts Free Health Screening for 2025 Hajj Pilgrims
Ibrahim Layode, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, stated during the exercise in Badagry on Saturday that 1,400 individuals — including intending pilgrims and officials — are scheduled to travel for Hajj next year.
He added that accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia have been finalized for all participants and that no additional pilgrims will be added, according to the 21st Century Chronicle.
Layode emphasized that the screening program is designed to detect infectious or chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis and HIV among the pilgrims. He noted that this initiative follows a directive from the state governor, who insisted that every participant must undergo testing to avoid medical emergencies during the pilgrimage.
Referring to previous cases, Layode said: “There was a time we had someone stuck at the Hajj for about four months because of health challenges, so the governor said we have to put an end to this.”
He highlighted that the screening is fully funded by the state to ensure accessibility for all pilgrims.
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Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Abdul-Akeem Ajumade, the new Secretary of the Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board, encouraged all intending pilgrims to use the opportunity to assess their medical condition before embarking on the journey.
Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. It requires considerable physical effort, making medical readiness a crucial component for participants.
Source: Agencies
