A female Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto State has died in Madinah, Saudi Arabia few days to the commencement of 2019 Hajj rites.
Head of Medical team, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Dr Hamidu Liman, made the announcement in Madinah on Tuesday, though he did not name the deceased.
Liman said she had an ailment before embarking on the trip but was referred to Al Ansar hospital, Madinah, where she died, four days ago.
He said the deceased was buried in Madinah after her family was contacted.
A female pilgrim from Katsina State had died last week in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Officials said the probable cause of death was myocardial infarction.
Dr Liman said that three other pilgrims had fracture; one with pathological fracture while two others accidentally fell on the floor due to slippery tiles and were treated.
He identified major health challenges confronting Nigerian pilgrims to include fatigue, headache, hypertension and asthma.
He said the commission had established four health centres in various locations in Madinah to handle pilgrims’ minor ailments.
The head of the medical team said pilgrims with special medical cases were referred to a tertiary hospital for further medical attention in agreement with the Saudi Government to treat such cases free of charge.
NAHCON said it had so far transported 27,466 pilgrims to Madinah as at Tuesday in 56 flights, adding that the latest flight of MaxAir VM3005 departed Bauchi for Madinah with 550 Bauchi State pilgrims.
