NAHCON Inaugurates Principal Medical Team for 2026 Hajj
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NAHCON Inaugurates Principal Medical Team for 2026 Hajj
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON has inaugurated the Principal Officers Committee of the National Medical Team for the 2026 Hajj exercise as part of efforts to strengthen medical services for Nigerian pilgrims.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the health and safety of pilgrims remained the commission’s top priority in line with regulations introduced by the Saudi authorities.
He stated that only pilgrims certified medically fit and free from specified diseases would be cleared to travel for the 2026 Hajj.
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Abba directed that all medical clearance forms must carry the issuing doctor’s registration number with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He warned that Saudi authorities would conduct random health checks at entry points into the Kingdom and that any medically unfit pilgrim would be repatriated.
He added that any official found to have compromised the screening process would be sanctioned accordingly.
The NAHCON boss also announced the introduction of an additional screening stage at departure centres across the country as a final verification before airlift.
According to him, the measure is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with Saudi health regulations and protecting Nigeria’s reputation.
The Head of the National Medical Team, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar, assured the commission of full compliance with all guidelines.
He said the team would implement comprehensive screening, strict accountability measures and deploy an Electronic Medical Records system to enable real-time monitoring and reporting during the Hajj period.
The Terms of Reference mandate the Principal Officers to provide leadership, supervision and coordination of medical activities in line with NAHCON guidelines.
They are also expected to develop operational strategies, oversee personnel deployment and ensure quality clinical care, disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, emergency response and proper referral of complicated cases in accordance with Saudi health regulations.
The committee will further manage medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, logistics and personnel welfare to guarantee uninterrupted services.
