Haj: Avoid staying out in open places for too long

JEDDAH: Malaysian haj pilgrims have been advised to drink lots of water, avoid being in open spaces for too long, as well as to get enough rest during their stay in the Holy Land where the temperature has reached 43°C.
Tabung Haji (TH) medical officer in Jeddah Dr Mohd Rohisham Zainal Abidin said this reminder was necessary so that the pilgrims remained healthy to perform the pilgrimage properly.
"This information was given to them during the haj courses conducted.
"We also do not encourage the pilgrims to be outside their dwellings or in the open spaces in the hot weather as it could lead to heat stroke or dehydration," he told reporters at the Jeddah Operations Centre here.
The Saudi Gazette portal reported on Aug 8 that the Saudi Arabian Health Ministry had set up a sophisticated and well-equipped heat stroke prevention centre in Mina.
The portal also reported Saudi Arabian Health Director Ahmed Abdussalam as advising all pilgrims, workers and staff involved in the haj operations to take steps to prevent heat strokes.
Ahmed was reported to have said that the hot weather could also lead to skin cancers, burnt skins and allergies.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Rohisham also encouraged pilgrims to bring their own medications, especially if they suffered from ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as descriptions of the medications.
He said this would facilitate the checks by the Saudi Arabian authorities. — Bernama