Saudi Arabia Makes Medical Checks Compulsory for Next Hajj Visa – NAHCON
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul KANO
The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) says the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have made medical certificates a prerequisite for a visa for the 2026 Hajj ritual.
The minutes of the NAHCON stakeholders’ meeting, made available to newsmen by Mariam Zubair Abubakar of the Public Affairs Unit, revealed that under the new visa regime, Saudi Arabia Kingdom Health officials would escort pilgrims to their accommodation at the point of entry to check those with serious conditions, including organ failure, neurological or psychiatric disorders, age-related dementia, pregnancy, and active cancer.
Dr. Saidu Dumbulwa, a member representing the Ministry of Health, who read out the new stricter medical policies by the authorities of the Saudi Ministry of Health at the NAHCON stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, stressed that all intending pilgrims must be healthy and active.
Dr. Saidu Dumbulwa insisted that all certificates must be signed by a recognized health practitioner and presented upon arrival in the Saudi Kingdom, adding that no intending pilgrim should be exempted from the compulsory medical checks.
He also stressed that pilgrims must be screened and certified eligible before their payments are collected, in line with the Saudi Ministry of Health’s advice, and further maintained the importance of all required vaccines.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman/CEO, Alhaji Abdullahi Saleh Usman, emphasized the need for unity between the states and NAHCON in preparing for the 2026 Hajj operation.
Abdullahi Saleh Usman stated that NAHCON is ready to cooperate and support the states in whatever capacity they require.
On his part, the Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Olarenwaju Elegushi, declared that the smooth progress of the 2026 Hajj preparations was due to the strong support from both the Chairman/CEO and the states.
He further revealed that the Commission’s management was summoned by the Vice President’s office and directed to review and reduce the 2026 Hajj fare.
“Therefore, NAHCON saw the importance of also summoning the states to do it together for the betterment of Nigerian pilgrims,” Elegushi stated.
The exchange rate of the US dollar was a key factor deliberated upon in calculating the new fare. A new Hajj fare will be announced at a later date, after receiving final clearance from the Vice President’s office.