Health files mandatory for Haj pilgrims

Every Haj pilgrim must have a health file containing his medical history, the Ministry of Health has announced. In keeping with the ministry's decision, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowment will be required to make all organisers of Haj campaigns in the UAE open a medical file for each and every pilgrim. The file will contain the pilgrim's health status, symptoms of illness, if any, and the treatment provided to the pilgrim during his Haj journey — right from leaving the country until his return. Dr Abdul Karim Al Zarouni, Director of Health Advertisements in the Ministry of Health and head of the Pilgrimage Medical Committee, said: "The health file shall be added to the medical file of each pilgrim and registered in UAE hospitals to ensure safety of all the pilgrims. This will be done either before the trip or during Haj. "At the same time, it will guarantee treatment methods for all patients." Through this, the ministry will also ensure the implementation of all necessary medical procedures such as diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients through designated doctors who will be fully responsible for the health status of each pilgrim until his return to the UAE. The doctors concerned will also help coordinate any required medical procedure and maintain the health status for each pilgrim during his stay in Saudi Arabia. From / Gulf News