120 Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Hospitalized in Saudi Arabia Await Repatriation

A total of 120 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are currently receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabian hospitals, with their return to Indonesia contingent upon their medical fitness to travel. The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has affirmed its commitment to ensuring these pilgrims receive care and are repatriated once they are declared fit to fly.

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There are still 120 pilgrims being treated. They will be repatriated if they are declared fit to fly.

Minister of Religious Affairs Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the government remains responsible for the pilgrims' well-being until their safe return to Indonesia. Pilgrims still undergoing treatment will have their health continuously monitored by assigned Hajj officials. If their condition improves and they are cleared by doctors, they will be sent back to the homeland, even if their original pilgrim group has already departed.

While the government focuses on the repatriation of the hospitalized pilgrims, the Hajj mission has also reported a somber statistic: 350 Indonesian pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia during this year's pilgrimage. Although this figure is reportedly lower than in the previous year, the Ministry emphasizes that the number of pilgrim deaths remains a concern.

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Even if their group has already returned, we will definitely repatriate them as long as the doctor says they are fit to fly.

To address this, the Ministry plans to strengthen health eligibility requirements, known as 'istitaah,' for future Hajj participants. This initiative aims to reduce mortality rates by ensuring pilgrims are in adequate health before undertaking the demanding journey. Despite the challenges, the Ministry views the reduction in fatalities compared to last year as an achievement, albeit one that necessitates further improvements for the upcoming Hajj seasons.

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The number is quite large in our view, but Alhamdulillah, it is still below last year, with a difference of more than 100. So, this is an achievement for us, although not a satisfying one, but next year we will immediately tighten and strengthen the health eligibility for our pilgrims.