- The number of Nigerians who have died during the 2017 Hajj has risen from 7 to 14
- The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said one of its staff was among the victims who died
- The number of consultations for Nigerian pilgrims stood at 19,504 with 90 referrals to other hospitals
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said the number of Nigerian pilgrims who died during this year’s Islamic pilgrimage has risen to 14.
This was revealed by Nigeria’s head of National Medical Medical Team, Ibrahim Kana, on Monday, September 4, at a briefing by the commission after a meeting of its management in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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NAIJ.com gathered that the commission also said one of its staff was among the victims who died as a result of an illness.
Kana: “Total mortality at at September 4, is 14, while, seven were pre-Arafat with two pilgrims from Kaduna and one each from Yobe, Kogi; Kebbi; Katsina and the FCT; seven were post-Arafat, with two pilgrims from Kano (one international); and one each from Osun, FCT, Zamfara, Katsina and one NAHCON legal adviser.”
The head of the medical team also said among the post-Arafat deaths, two occurred in Mina.
According to him Muna/Arafat outing in this year’s hajj “was welcomed by scorching heat with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius, thereby causing a lot of hardship on Nigerians and pilgrims in general.
“That resulted in early exhaustion, dehydration and even some developing heat stroke.”
“This led to reduction of suffering and prompt evacuation and referral to nearby hospitals in Arafat, Muzdalifa and Muna.
“Several cardiac resuscitation measures were conducted which saved some lives.
“We are also grateful that no outbreak of any disease was recorded in the Nigerian tents, even though the medical team was in hand providing services through the 25 clinics established inside many state tents. Over 6000 consultations were carried out,” he said.
Kana said the total number of consultations for Nigerian pilgrims as at Monday stood at 19,504 with 90 referrals to other hospitals.
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NAIJ.com previously reported that the number of Nigerians who died during Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia was seven.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mohammed in Islam’s holiest city.
He was however silent on the identities of the late pilgrims as well as the circumstances that led to their death.
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