Now pilgrims can conduct medical test at pvt hospitals

Secretariat Correspondent: The pilgrims can conduct their four medical tests—blood, sugar, x-ray and ECG—at the private hospitals alongside the government ones. Necessary directions will be given to the private hospitals soon in this regard.

The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting over the preparation of hajj management-2018, held at the Secretariat on Monday with Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman in the chair.

Regarding the tests, acting religious affairs secretary Anisur Rahman said the pilgrims will face less hassle if they conduct their medical tests from outside (private hospitals).

He urged the pilgrims to conduct the four medical tests—blood, sugar, x-ray and ECG—before hajj.

This year, a total of 1,26,798 persons will go to Saudi Arabia for performing hajj. Of them, 6,798 will perform hajj under government management while 1,20,000 under private management.

The hajj is likely to be held on August 21 this year subject to the moon sighting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Hajj programme-2018 at the Hajj Camp in the capital's Ashkona area on July 11, said Motiur Rahman.

The pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia through 528 hajj agencies and the first flight carrying hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is scheduled to begin on July 14 and continue till August 15 while the return hajj flight is scheduled to begin on August 27 and will continued till September 25, said the minister.

Bangladesh Biman will carry 64,967 pilgrims through 187 flights while the rest 61,831 pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia through 188 flights of Saudi Airlines this year, he said.

Already 6,114 pilgrims under government management and 13,400 under private managements have got their visas, he added.


risingbd/Dhaka/July 9, 2018/Hasan/AI