Seven medical facilities and centres in six regions have been designated as screening centres for the mandatory Hajj medical examination and screening for prospective pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season.
The designated regions are the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West regions.
A statement from the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) confirmed that the exercise would start on Monday, February 2, and it would be conducted in collaboration with designated medical teams to ensure the health, safety and overall preparedness of all intending pilgrims.
The statement, signed by the PAOG’s Head of Medical Committee, Dr Abdul Samed Tanko, said “To ensure nationwide accessibility, the exercise will be conducted at selected medical facilities and a detailed schedule outlining the dates, venues and expected daily attendance has been prepared.”
The approved medical screening centres are the Quality Medical Centre in Bawku, where the first screening exercise will take place, the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, the Baptist Medical Centre in Naleirigu in the North East Region, the Wa Municipal Hospital in the Upper West Region, and the Ummah Medical Centre at Jisonayili, Tamale.
The Kumasi Central Mosque Conference room will handle prospective pilgrims in the Ashanti Region and surrounding regions, while the Hajj Village in Accra will handle pilgrims in the Greater Accra and surrounding regions.
Dr Samed Tanko stated that, for convenience, effectiveness and the efficient conduct of the exercise, all paid-up pilgrims had been assigned and scheduled to designated facilities, with their reporting dates and times between February 2 and March 4 this year already communicated to them.
“The medical screening will involve comprehensive health assessments, including general physical examinations, screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases, a review of medical history, and evaluation of fitness for long-distance travel and strenuous religious activities,” the statement explained.
Also, it stated that the medical screening was mandatory for all prospective pilgrims, including those who paid directly to the office, as well as those who paid through accredited Hajj agents.
Requirements
The statement also explained that all pilgrims going through the screening would be required to present a copy of their passport or Ghana Card and pay a subsidised medical examination fee of GH¢650, urging them to arrive promptly and cooperate fully with medical personnel to ensure a smooth and efficient screening process.
“The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana calls on all stakeholders, including accredited Hajj agents, religious leaders and community heads, to support the exercise through effective information dissemination and strict compliance,” the statement said.
The PAOG emphasised that only pilgrims who successfully completed and passed the screening exercise would be cleared to proceed with further Hajj preparations.
It reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, orderly and successful medical screening exercise in preparation for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh