Health Tips for Pilgrims During the 2024 Hajj Season

To ensure their safety and protection, the Dubai Health Authority urges pilgrims to adhere to health practices for disease prevention.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 13, 2024: Dubai Health Authority emphasises its utmost concern for the health and safety of Hajj pilgrims and is providing pilgrims with health tips to adhere to before, during, and after performing the Hajj rituals to ensure their well-being and protect them from any health risks during their pilgrimage.

Hend Al Awadhi, Head of Health Promotion and Education at DHA's Public Health and Protection Department  highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Authority in collaboration with its strategic partners to educate pilgrims and guide them to adhere to recommended health measures, including getting necessary vaccinations at least 15 days before travel to ensure vaccine efficacy and provide sufficient immunity against diseases. This includes the yellow fever vaccination, influenza vaccine, and ensuring that doses are recorded in the international vaccination card by accredited health centers.

The Dubai Health Authority also advises Hajj pilgrims suffering from chronic diseases to take sufficient quantities of medications after consulting a doctor and to carry a detailed medical report outlining their medical condition, prescribed medications, and dosages to monitor their health status when needed.

Dr. Al Awadi emphasised the importance for pilgrims to ensure their personal belongings include items for personal care such as towels, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen, and others. Additionally, it is essential to have a first-aid kit containing hand sanitisers, wound disinfectants, fever-reducing medications, pain relievers, masks, burn creams, and allergy ointments.

During Hajj, Dr. Al Awadi stressed the importance of adhering to preventive and health practices to avoid respiratory diseases, food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases, and heat stress. Recommendations included avoiding direct exposure to sunlight, using umbrellas for heat and sun protection, consuming sufficient fluids like water and juices to replenish lost fluids from sweating, eating healthy food, washing or sanitising hands before and after food preparation and consumption, using masks in crowded places, using tissues when coughing or sneezing to cover the mouth and nose, and disposing of them in trash cans.

Dr. Al Awadi also advised pilgrims to cook food thoroughly and store it in the refrigerator, avoid leaving cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours, refrain from consuming uncovered or stored food outside the fridge, or uncooked food prepared in unhygienic conditions. It is important to avoid direct contact with individuals showing symptoms of illness, not to share personal items with others, especially shaving tools, prayer mats etc.

After Hajj, pilgrims are advised to visit a doctor upon their return to ensure they are healthy and to evaluate their medical condition, especially if they have chronic diseases or exhibited any health symptoms during Hajj rituals. It is essential to avoid staying up late, avoid physical exertion, take rest, follow a balanced healthy diet, and drink sufficient fluids to compensate for the body's loss of fluid during the Hajj pilgrimage.