Algeria bans pilgrims suffering from cardiovascular and renal deficiency diseases

Algerian Hadj office and health ministry stepped up medical measures on pilgrims before they leave the country to perform Hadj.

• The ministry determined a black list of banned diseases if pilgrims suffer from them.
• It set up medical provincial commissions of more than 300 doctors to examine pilgrims.
• The black list includes cardiovascular, mental and acute diseases and renal deficiency.
• Stringent measures to eliminate favouritism between doctors and pilgrims
• All the Algerian pilgrims will undergo a deep mental psychological check up to avoid suicide attempts similar to those happened last year in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
• Pilgrims suffering from rental deficiency and pregnant women in the sixth month and up will not be allowed to perform Hadj this year.
• The diseases list was accompanied with a ministerial instruction signed by the Algerian health minister Said Berkat stipulating all health central directors in the country to keep watch on the smooth running of the procedures on every pilgrim.
• The medical commission found that 130 Algerian pilgrims were hospitalised in Saudi Arabia in the season of 2008. It also said it found16 cases of mental disease and 36 deaths of heart attacks and high blood pressure.