Dehydration: Medic counsels pilgrims on regular intake of water

Dr Adamu Umar-Ka’oje, a member of the Kebbi Medical Team for 2024 Hajj exercise, on Friday advised the pilgrims performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia to imbibe the habit of regular water intake to avoid dehydration.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia that regular intake of water would not only aid them in replacing the water lost but would also assist the kidney to function optimally.

The medical expert observed that the temperature was higher compared to what was obtainable in Nigeria, hence the need for the pilgrims to drink more water to subside the heat.
He said the medical team was doing its best to enlighten the pilgrims on medical issues through its ‘Health Talks Programme’ to keep them sound and healthy ready for the Hajj exercise.

Umar-Ka’oje said both the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board have made adequate arrangements to cater for the health needs of the pilgrims in the holy land.

He particularly lauded the efforts of Gov. Nasir Idris for making provision for a substantial number of medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and environmental health staff towards a successful operation.

He advised the aged persons not to over-stretch themselves, especially under the sun, by insisting that they must pray at Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Ka’aba).

Umar-Ka’oje said, “A Mosque is designated in every house for the aged, women and the weak to pray and earn the same reward as those who pray at the Ka’aba.”
On food, the medical expert said Kebbi stood out among other states of Nigeria, saying,” We have no problem as far as food is concerned.

He said, ”Our Governor has not only tried to provide delicious and balanced diet meals but proved to be the best amongst other governors.”
Reacting to an allegation that the pilgrims were not being provided with medicine, Umar-Ka’oje debunked it as a” rumor.”

Umar-Ka’oje said, ”Out of the 36 states, no state has made provision for adequate manpower in health like Kebbi.

“His Excellency, Kauran Gwandu has approved a large number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and environmental health workers, twice the number of many states in Nigeria.
”This is just to ensure that Kebbi pilgrims perform Hajj in a very sound and healthy condition.”

He added that the governor also ensured that more than enough medicine is provided to cater for the health needs of pilgrims.

”However, the constraint we are facing right away is not restricted to Kebbi, it affects all other countries performing Hajj. It’s a new protocol introduced by Saudi authorities.
“Nevertheless, in Kebbi, we have made a temporary and secret arrangement on where and how to treat our patients in case of any diseases.

“In addition to that, in case of emergency or severe illnesses, the governor has provided an ambulance for conveying patients to hospitals, and our doctors are working 24 hours in all the places accommodating Kebbi pilgrims,” he said.

Umar-Ka’oje said the protocol introduced was not a new thing to them, it was a normal thing, Saudi Arabia used to review their protocol annually.

He said, ”Hence the new changes,” recalling that before, they used to operate from a small clinic in each house, “but the operation has now changed.”

The medical expert appreciated the support and cooperation of Idris to the medical team.
According to him, this has been translated into a successful journey so far and urged him to sustain the tempo for the good of the state.