Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB), has commenced inoculation and medical screening for intending pilgrims, the exercise designed to ensure that all lntending pilgrims are physically fit and healthy to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.

Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, said this at the flag off of the screening exercise, at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, emphasising the commitment of the Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration to safeguarding the health of the intending pilgrims while performing Hajj rites.

"We are committed to ensuring the wellness and safety of our pilgrims and this exercise is a crucial part of that effort," he said.

In his remark, a Medical Practitioner, a member of the screening team, Dr. Mojeed Oloko, charged intending pilgrims to take their health seriously and adhere strictly to medical advice by the medical team, in order to participate effectively during the Hajj exercise, saying the importance of the screening and counselling was an essential part of the process.

          "There are some diseases that are vaccine preventable, so we are here to ensure that all intending pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia this year are duly vaccinated, based on the guidelines by the Saudi authority. Aside from this, we are trying to know the health status of each pilgrim we are taking to Saudi Arabia," he stated.

Dr. Oloko explained the significance of physical well-being as presented by World Health Organisation (WHO), said that adults of 40 to 45 years and above, were usually known to have one ailment or the other, emphasising that having an ailment was not the problem, but knowing the health status of an individual, using the right medications and following medical instruction.

          "There are pilgrims that may have one or two medical challenges after identifying them, we counsel them on how they can manage their health to prevent complications during the Hajj exercise," he added.

          In their separate remarks, two of the intending pilgrims, Mr. Ajibade Mojeed and Mrs. Rauf Aminat, appreciated the State Government for conducting medical screening, saying the medical test had helped them to prepare mentally and physically.