The  Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Agency has begun medical screening for all its intending pilgrims expected to perform this year’s holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The agency’s spokesperson, Yunusa Abdullahi, told journalists on Sunday in Kaduna that the screening exercise began on Sunday.

He said, “All the registered intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj must undergo compulsory medical screening this week.”

According to Mr Abdullahi, the exercise is designed to assess the health status of the intending pilgrims ahead of the spiritual journey.

“The screening includes mandatory pregnancy tests for the prospective female pilgrims,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi clarified that the process was not intended to disqualify anyone but to ensure appropriate medical support, particularly for pilgrims with diabetes or hypertension.

He added that the pilgrims would receive two meals daily throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Abdullahi emphasised that only tests conducted in government-approved hospitals would be accepted.

“The medical and pregnancy tests are compulsory. Any pilgrim who refuses to undergo them risks forfeiting his Hajj seat,” he warned.

“Intending pilgrims have been advised to collect their medical cards from their registration officers before visiting the designated hospitals for the screening,” Mr Abdullahi said.

(NAN)