The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, conducted first batch of screening and orientation of potential medical team members for 2023 Hajj.
The exercise took place on Thursday, 27th April 2023 with about 212 applicants invited for the verification.
Principal officers led by Dr Usman Galadima of Federal Ministry of Health, who is also the Chief of Medical Operations of the National Medical Team (NMT), screened documents of the successful Doctors, Pharmacists and Nurses that would form the NMT.
Delivering his speech during the inauguration and orientation program, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the NAHCON Chairman congratulated successful members for the special grace of scaling the selection out of over 10,000 applicants where only 230 members are required.
He enjoined them to consider their selection as a trust reposed on them by the Almighty, whose favor they are beneficiaries of. The Chairman also cautioned the members to respect guidelines and regulations of the host country, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who do not tolerate infractions.
Prince Sheikh Suleman Momoh, Commissioner Planning, Research, Information, Statistics and Library Services (PRISLS) who doubles as the Chairman of the Medical Team, disclosed that selection of the members followed a transparent ballot system under the supervision of 12 members.
He therefore emphasized that any member who would not comply strictly to the terms and conditions of engagement was invited to honorably decline the offer.
Sheikh Momoh informed that once they sign the acceptance letter, they would be expected to work as stipulated. Sheikh Momoh explained that NAHCON considers health care of pilgrims cardinal in its operations.
Commenting, both Commissioners Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa and Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai called on the members to show gratitude to Allah for their selection by discharging their responsibilities whether monitored or not. Alhaji Yakassai added that their appointment letter clearly states their remuneration in consonance with the number of days they will be engaged.
The newly posted Board Member representing Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Ahmad Baba called on the medical personnel to always abide by their professional ethics wherever they are.
The Technical Adviser to the NMT also reminded the selected members of the role of Federal Ministry of Health as a regulatory body monitoring their professional conduct.
The NMT composition is a fusion of medical personnel sponsored by States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions and those sponsored by the federal agency to cater for the healthcare of pilgrims during Hajj operations on and offshore.
Fatima Sanda Usara,
Assistant Director, Public Affairs,
NAHCON
