The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK - ABH, a National Hajj & Umrah specific organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of British Hajj & Umrah pilgrims has welcomed the Saudi Minister of Health Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah’s visit to the UK in anticipation that it will improve the present collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia particularly in areas of Health and Education.

This collaboration will enhance the capability of the Saudi Health Ministry to develop and deliver better services and facilities for the citizens in Saudi Arabia.Millions of people from around the world converge in the holy cities Makkah and Madinah every year to perform Hajj / Umrah pilgrimage. The pilgrims, specifically arriving from developing countries with poor health care systems live, travel and pray in extremely close quarters, creating an ideal ground for an outbreak of infectious diseases. There is always high-risk that pilgrims could exacerbate the problem when they return home and passed their infection on to family, friends and in the community.

The Saudi Health Ministry is to be commended for its continuous hard work to ensure the health and wellbeing of millions of pilgrims while they are in Saudi Arabia. However, the health experts and seniors doctors from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK also strongly urge the British government that it must learn the lesson from the tragic death of over 20 British returnee pilgrims in UK who lost their lives due to an outbreak of Meningitis in the recent past. Therefore, it is vital that the government must make efforts to help and protect British pilgrims by taking appropriate actions towards their welfare and wellbeing.

abhuk.com