Doctors Will Accompany Pilgrims

The medical team that will travel to Saudi Arabia with Iranian pilgrims comprises 575 doctors, a 20% increase compared to 2015, the last time Iranians performed Hajj.

Iranians did not make pilgrimage last year after diplomatic relations were cut off and the government in Riyadh failed to offer safety assurances.

Iran’s Red Crescent Society has set up 92 health care units in Mecca and five in Medina that will provide 24-hour service to the pilgrims, Mizan reported.

Some 350 doctors will accompany the pilgrims and the rest will be stationed at the medical facilities.

“Medical equipment is in place and we’re ready to offer services,” IRCS chief, Seyyed Amirhossein Ziaei, said, adding that in critical situations patients will be sent to hospital.

This year, 86,000 Iranians are performing the annual ritual, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford is obliged to undertake at least once in his/her lifetime. The ritual takes place between August 30 and September 4 this year.