NAHCON Chairman inaugurates 2023 medical team for Hajj operations
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) conducted the first batch of screening and orientation for potential medical team members for the 2023 Hajj today, April 27, 2023.
About 212 applicants were invited for verification, according to a press release signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON.
Dr Usman Galadima, Chief of Medical Operations for the National Medical Team (NMT) and a principal officer at the Federal Ministry of Health screened the documents of successful doctors, pharmacists, and nurses who would form the NMT.
During the inauguration and orientation program, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the NAHCON Chairman, congratulated successful members for the special grace of being selected out of over 10,000 applicants, where only 230 members are required. He enjoined them to consider their selection as a trust reposed in them by the Almighty, whose favour they are beneficiaries of. The Chairman also cautioned the members to respect the guidelines and regulations of the host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which does not tolerate infractions.
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Prince Sheikh Suleman Momoh, Chairman of the Medical Team and Commissioner of Planning, Research, Information, Statistics, and Library Services (PRISLS), disclosed that the selection of members followed a transparent ballot system under the supervision of 12 members. He emphasized that any member who would not comply strictly with the terms and conditions of engagement should decline the offer. Once they sign the acceptance letter, they would be expected to work as stipulated. Sheikh Momoh explained that NAHCON considers the healthcare of pilgrims to be a cardinal aspect of its operations.
Both Commissioners Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa and Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai called on the members to show gratitude to Allah for their selection and to discharge their responsibilities, whether monitored or not. Alhaji Yakassai added that their appointment letter clearly states their remuneration in consonance with the number of days they will be engaged.
The newly posted Board Member representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Ahmad Baba, called on the medical personnel to always abide by their professional ethics wherever they are. The Technical Adviser to the NMT also reminded the selected members of the role of the Federal Ministry of Health as a regulatory body monitoring their professional conduct.
The NMT composition is a fusion of medical personnel sponsored by the States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions and those sponsored by the federal agency to cater to the healthcare needs of pilgrims during Hajj operations on and offshore.