RIYADH: Indonesian Dr. Indah Melina, a beneficiary of the Makkah Route Initiative, is raising awareness among pilgrims about the importance of maintaining good health.
At Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Indonesia, she walked among other beneficiaries of the initiative, sharing health tips with Indonesian pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
“I have been working as a doctor at a public hospital in Indonesia for four years,” said Melina, 33.
“I was thrilled to be selected as part of the medical team for the Hajj season. It has always been my dream to serve Indonesian pilgrims and ensure their safety.”
All Hajj campaigns have a medical team with doctors, nurses and technicians who monitor pilgrims’ health.
“The team is given a list of pilgrims’ names and health information, which enables it to monitor those with specific medical conditions. Comprehensive and advanced healthcare services are also provided upon their arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Melina added.
Hajj is a holistic ritual serving both soul and body, the doctor said. She works to promote awareness among pilgrims about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene at the holy sites, following Islamic teachings.
She also highlights the need for pilgrims to carry identification cards and acknowledges the efforts of the Kingdom’s authorities to ensure health security.
The first Makkah Route Initiative flight from Indonesia departed from Surabaya airport on May 12, carrying approximately 300 pilgrims.
The initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, is intended to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from airports in their home countries.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team that assists pilgrims, as well as buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Other services provided include biometric scans, the issuance of Hajj visas, and electronic luggage coding.
The world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation will be sending 241,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year for the spiritual journey that is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj this year is expected to start on June 14 and end on June 19.
