The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, conducted the first batch of screening and orientation of potential medical team members for the 2023 Hajj. The exercise took place today, 27th April 2023 with 212 applicants invited for verification.
Principal officers led by Dr Usman Galadima of the 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 programme, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, 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 in them by the Almighty, whose favour they are beneficiaries of. The NAHCON chairman also cautioned the members to respect the guidelines and regulations of the host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which does 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 the selection of the members followed a transparent ballot system under the supervision of 12 members. He, therefore, emphasised that any member who would not comply strictly with the terms and conditions of engagement should honourably decline the offer.
Momoh informed them that once they sign the acceptance letter, they would be expected to work as stipulated. He explained that NAHCON considers the healthcare of pilgrims sacrosanct in its operations.
Commenting, 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. 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 the 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 the 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 and commissions and those sponsored by the federal agency to cater for the healthcare of pilgrims during Hajj operations on and offshore.
