Dr Osman Haruna is a medical practitioner
The ongoing medical screening exercise for prospective pilgrims in Accra has recorded a strong turnout, with more than 2,000 individuals already screened as part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
Dr Osman Haruna, a member of the Ghana Hajj Medical Team and supervisor of the screening exercise, disclosed that the team initially planned to screen about 5,000 pilgrims in the Greater Accra Region. However, the exercise has progressed faster than expected due to the high level of participation and cooperation from pilgrims.
According to him, the team exceeded its initial daily target on the first day of the exercise. “We expected to screen 200 pilgrims on the first day, but we ended up screening 506,” he said. On the second day, the number increased to 517 pilgrims, largely due to the high turnout over the weekend.
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Dr Haruna noted that as of the latest count, the team had screened about 2,001 pilgrims and the exercise was still ongoing.
He explained that the screening has also helped identify several underlying medical conditions among some of the prospective pilgrims. Many of them, he said, were unaware they had chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes until the medical checks were conducted.
The screening, he emphasised, is a mandatory requirement by Saudi authorities to ensure that only medically fit individuals undertake the pilgrimage. Pilgrims with severe organ failure or infectious diseases that could be transmitted to others are not permitted to travel.
He further revealed that women in their third trimester of pregnancy are also not eligible to perform the Hajj this year, in line with health regulations set by the Saudi authorities.
Dr Haruna said the medical team has provided recommendations and appropriate medical advice to individuals who were diagnosed with health conditions during the screening process.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana has arranged additional screening opportunities to accommodate prospective pilgrims who could not participate in Accra.
He announced that a mop-up screening exercise will be conducted on March 7 and 8, 2026, at Umar Medical Center in Jisonayili, Tamale, to serve pilgrims from the northern part of the country who initially planned to travel to Accra for the exercise.
He added that screening activities in Accra will also continue at the Hajj Village until Sunday to ensure that all prospective pilgrims complete the mandatory medical checks.
Dr Haruna commended the medical facility and the screening team for their professionalism throughout the process, noting that the rights, dignity, and confidentiality of pilgrims have been strictly protected.
He also expressed appreciation to the leadership and the Medical Director of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana for the opportunity given to the team to carry out the important national exercise.
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