The strategy involves integrating the Saudi-based Indonesian Hajj Organizing Committee's (PPIH's) health unit with the Hajj Cluster Medical Teams (TKHK) that accompany each pilgrim group.
"The strategy is to unify the PPIH health unit, which will be divided into eight offices/posts. Specialist doctors will be on standby at each post," the ministry's Director General of Health Human Resources, Yuli Farianti, noted in a statement.
In the same statement, Head of the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) Taruna Ikrar, who is also a member of the Indonesian Hajj delegation (Amirul Haji) team, expressed concern over the current number of Hajj pilgrim deaths, which has reached 108.
“This is a week before the peak of Hajj, and the number of deaths is already higher than during the same period last year. Currently, 108 Indonesian pilgrims have passed away,” he remarked.
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He emphasized the need to mobilize all available Indonesian resources to provide the best care and reduce deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage.
"In certain conditions, it is impossible for the limited number of doctors to serve over two million pilgrims. It is the right move for the Indonesian government to deploy health workers to accompany the pilgrims here," he stated.
Ikrar also drew attention to a problem involving healthcare workers being unable to serve pilgrims due to issues with operational permits for clinics and medical practice.
To address the issue, Ikrar said he would discuss the matter with the Saudi health minister, citing the need to properly provide health services for over 200 thousand Indonesian pilgrims.
Related news: BP Haji praises Saudi Arabia's improved Hajj management
Translator: Mecca, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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