New Delhi, June 8
The government has directed all Haj pilgrims to furnish their medical profile to facilitate proper arrangements for their care in the holy Mecca and Medina.

More than 1,20,000 Indian pilgrims perform the Haj every year. For the 2006 Haj, 1,37,000 Indians are expected to perform the Haj. These include 82,000 Indians who will undertake the pilgrimage through the Haj Committee and 55,000 who have planned it with the help of private tour operators.

Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed who presided over the All-India annual conference 2006 for Haj here on Monday told TNS that he had introduced the condition of furnishing medical profile in the interest of the pilgrims. He said rendering medical assistance to the ailing pilgrims became difficult in the absence of any medical history.

“An Advanced medical profile would be of great help to medical staff for rendering timely and appropriate help to the patients. Deaths of pilgrims are reported every year due to diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cardio-vascular problems.’’