WNAM REPORT: Indonesia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring optimal care and protection for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims encountering difficulties abroad, including those who fall ill during transit.
Head of the ministry’s Sub-directorate of Umrah Oversight, Andi Muhammad Taufik, emphasized that the government prioritizes the safety and well-being of Indonesians undertaking pilgrimages.
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah guarantees full support for pilgrims facing legal issues in Saudi Arabia or transit countries, as well as for those experiencing health problems overseas,” he stated in Jakarta on Saturday.
He made the statement following a recent case involving an Indonesian pilgrim who fainted during transit at Muscat International Airport in Oman on February 5 after completing the Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The Indonesian Embassy in Muscat received initial information on the case from a local hospital in the Omani capital, he added.
As further treatment was required, the pilgrim was transferred to another hospital on February 8 with family consent. After intensive care, the patient was declared stable and cleared to return home for immediate treatment at a referral hospital.
Taufik noted that Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI) in Jakarta confirmed readiness to admit the patient and mobilized an ambulance, ventilator, and medical team for pick-up at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
He confirmed that the pilgrim had arrived in Indonesia and was transferred to RSPI in Jakarta for further treatment.
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will continue to monitor the patient’s condition in Indonesia,” he stated.
He added that his office would coordinate with the Umrah travel organizer involved regarding costs incurred during treatment.
“We deem it necessary to review organizers’ responsibility in protecting pilgrims, particularly in terms of medical coverage. We will also evaluate travel insurance policies for Umrah pilgrims,” Taufik remarked.
He stressed that such measures are vital to strengthen protection for pilgrims and ensure swift, professional, and responsible responses to risks during pilgrimage.
