Yemisi Dada
The Lagos State Government has commenced the free medical screening for year 2025 Hajj Intending Pilgrims to check and know their health status, address any health challenge and get treated, with a call on them to take advantage of the opportunity.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Layode at commencement of the exercise organized by the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Free Medical Screening for year 2025 Hajj Intending Pilgrims in Badagry and Ojo Council Areas, restated the commitment of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s administration to a healthy Lagos.
Mr. Layode who urged the one thousand and four hundred intending pilgrims with Lagos state government’s officials that would be performing this year’s Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia to be good ambassadors, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for decentralising the free medical screening to make it seamless for them.
“I appealed to you pilgrims not to travel to the Holy Land with prohibited items such hard drugs, kolanut, bitter kola, etc, or collect bags from strangers, stressing that Saudi Arabia does not tolerate the trafficking of banned substances, and anyone caught will be dealt with or given capital punishment”.
Also Speaking, Executive Secretary, Lagos Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdulakeem Ajimagbere, said one of the rules was for people to be healthy to take part in the Hajj exercise, hence, the intending pilgrims must be good ambassadors and pray for the progress of the state and the country.
“Hajj is a rigorous exercise, which requires that intending pilgrims must be physically and mentally fit to perform throughout the duration,” he added.
The Director
Medical, Admin, Training, and Programmes, Ministry of Health,
Dr Mezeedat Erinosho, said the intervention was aimed at encouraging people to imbibe a healthy seeking behaviour among Lagosians to know their status, be vaccinated and take advantage of the free medical screening to get a holistic care.
Some of the Intending Muslim Pilgrims as thanked the Lagos State Government for the free medical intervention and treatment before travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise, which they noted have relieved them of their medical financial burdens.