MANAMA: Health authorities here are conducting a series of workshops for nurses and medical staff who are part of a medical team accompanying Bahraini Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Omran, head of the Haj Coordinating Committee, told Arab news, “Our focus is on first aid and food quality for pilgrims. Staff are informed about safety precautions and necessary steps to be taken.”
Al-Omran said food poisoning was common during the annual pilgrimage. “We will monitor all foodstuff from the place they are bought until they are transported and stored. There are often traffic jams from Makkah to Madinah during the season and so eatable items require supervision,” he added.
This year, about 8,000 Bahraini pilgrims are to perform Haj. The Health Ministry has assigned a team of 46 medics — including doctors, nurses, food inspectors and ambulance drivers — to work around the clock to provide health care to pilgrims. Special provisions are also to be made for women and elderly pilgrims.
The medical team is to carry over 300 types of medicines and will coordinate with Saudi health officials for assistance. Health centers in Bahrain are providing pilgrims with vaccinations against meningitis, diphtheria and tetanus. Pilgrims are also being handed health cards and plastic bracelets displaying their names and other relevant data.
