Haj Health: Preventive Care to Be Enhanced
Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News

RIYADH, 21 May 2008 — The Kingdom will enhance its preventive health care program during the next Haj season because of the increasing demand for more health services in the holy cities.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Haj Preparatory Committee in Riyadh yesterday, Dr. Ridah Khalil, the committee’s chairman, said that based on recommendations from concerned organizations, the government has decided to increase the number of health officials to be deployed in the preventive health program during the next Haj.

He added that last year there were only 246 medics, paramedics and health officials working in the two holy cities with the preventive health care team. “This year we hope to increase the staff by 10 percent and offer more facilities to educate the pilgrims to ensure a disease-free Haj,” he said.

Khalil said that the meeting was part of the government’s preparations to ensure a smooth Haj.

He pointed out that every year, the Ministry of Health carries out an intensive campaign against infectious diseases, such as meningitis, cholera, yellow fever and the flu. The government also distributes more than 1.5 million brochures in 16 languages to carry the health message to the pilgrims, who come from all parts of the world.

On a proposal made by one of the participating organizations, Khalil said that the government would consider deploying 50 more mini-ambulances within the two holy cities to ferry the sick to hospitals.

It was also decided to set up an emergency committee, comprising representatives from all departments, to oversee the preparatory work.

“Such a committee will prioritize the preparatory work to reach our target well in time for the next Haj,” he added.

Early this year, the Council of Ministers recommended the establishment of an endowment fund to provide health care services to pilgrims. Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, spokesman of the Health Ministry, said that his ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to set up the endowment.

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Khalil said that the meeting was part of the government’s preparations to ensure a smooth Haj.

The govt is not really interested in a smooth haj. History proves differently with the amount of catastrophies and deaths that occur each year.

The govt makes billions of dollars from the haj.
That's their main concern.

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Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:

quote:

Khalil said that the meeting was part of the government’s preparations to ensure a smooth Haj.

The govt is not really interested in a smooth haj. History proves differently with the amount of catastrophies and deaths that occur each year.

The govt makes billions of dollars from the haj.
That's their main concern.

They and the local organizers are pricing it out of reach of average people.

Exactly!
It costs $10K to make a hajj for a couple.
With 2 children, that $20K

For $10K, I could go on a world cruise.

It's a racket.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
Exactly!
It costs $10K to make a hajj for a couple.
With 2 children, that $20K

For $10K, I could go on a world cruise.

It's a racket.

Not trying to diminish the importance of Hajj. It just doesn't make sense. If it is so much for us here who can afford it, how much of a difficulty it must be for those people in poor countries.

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Originally posted by ksazma:

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
Exactly!
It costs $10K to make a hajj for a couple.
With 2 children, that $20K

For $10K, I could go on a world cruise.

It's a racket.

Not trying to diminish the importance of Hajj. It just doesn't make sense. If it is so much for us here who can afford it, how much of a difficulty it must be for those people in poor countries.

To you a lot of things don't make sense and don't ever feel you can try to diminished the imprtance of Hajj...Allah (swt) decides who will attent the Hajj...we plot and plan but he Allah is the BEST of planners.

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Originally posted by SuperMike:
To you a lot of things don't make sense and don't ever feel you can try to diminished the imprtance of Hajj...Allah (swt) decides who will attent the Hajj...we plot and plan but he Allah is the BEST of planners.

A notice yuh didn't comment on what looks like extortion on the part of the organizers.

I have done a lot of thinking and research on the high cost of performing Hajj and I still cant find the culprit who is extorting our brothers and sisters money.

Lets do the math and see what the true cost of Hajj is:

Airfare from North America $1200 (should be lower based on group bookings)

5 star hotel for 10 days $1000 (based on 4 person per room ie $400 a night)

Hajj fees, transportation and visa etc $1000

That only takes us to $3200.00, where did I miscalculate?

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Originally posted by Abu Jihad:
I have done a lot of thinking and research on the high cost of performing Hajj and I still cant find the culprit who is extorting our brothers and sisters money.

Lets do the math and see what the true cost of Hajj is:

Airfare from North America $1200 (should be lower based on group bookings)

5 star hotel for 10 days $1000 (based on 4 person per room ie $400 a night)

Hajj fees, transportation and visa etc $1000

That only takes us to $3200.00, where did I miscalculate?

Check out these prices for Hajj this year;

http://www.hajjnow.com/hajjpack.shtml

http://www.onehajj.com/hajj/hajj-b-3.asp

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http://www.hajjnow.com/hajjpack.shtml

This package is by Imam Slimie of the IMO and it is the first to sell out. My friend went with this package last year and said it was the best vacation he ever had.