Tangerang (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Health Ministry deploys 188 officers who are part of the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) team to provide services to Indonesian pilgrims during their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The ministry's Head of Health Communication and Public Service Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, on Sunday, informed these health officers will be deployed in stages, with the first batch scheduled for departure on Monday (April 28).

"Of the total 188 officers, we will deploy some of them on Monday to welcome the Hajj pilgrims on May 2, 2025," he said.

Muhawarman said the health officers consist of nurses and specialist doctors to provide health services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

"We are preparing health workers, medicines, and also health facilities in Saudi Arabia. We have prepared them with training for this mission," he continued.

In addition, the Hajj Pilgrimage Organizing Committee (PPIH) in the health sector will also be on standby in each Hajj pilgrims' group to assist their flights to Saudi Arabia.

Muhawarman informed that the number of Hajj health service officers has decreased by almost 50 percent. The number of KKHI in 2024 reached 306, while in 2025 the government only readied 188 people.

"Our quota this year has decreased compared to previous years. The regulation comes from the Saudi Arabian government," he explained.

On the other hand, the Indonesian government has received confirmation of an additional quota of 2,210 Hajj officers from the Saudi Arabian authorities.

With this addition, the number of Indonesian Hajj officers for the 1446 Hijri/2025 AD hajj is recorded at 4,420 people.

Previously, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar told the Saudi Arabian government that additional officers were needed to assist and provide better service for the pilgrims. This would also help Saudi officials make the convening of this year's Hajj successful.

"Additional hajj officers will also help deal with communication problems and cultural differences," he disclosed.

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