ABU DHABI // Experts say regular washing of hands is the best preventive measure against infectious diseases during Haj, but pilgrims claim the lack of washrooms in Mecca makes this difficult.
Hence, medical authorities said, use of hand sanitiser is essential.
“Carrying small hand sanitisers can help, but washing your hands is the best preventive measure,” said Dr Fatma Al Attar, head of international health regulation at the Ministry of Health.
“People from different backgrounds and levels of education gather for Haj and we try to educate people at each stage,” she said.
“We give the pilgrims pamphlets and brochures on preventive measures even as they are departing at the airport. We advise them, but not everyone takes our advice or follows our recommendations.”
“When hands are not visibly dirty, a hand rub can be used,” said Rana Sidani, senior communication officer at the World Health Organisation regional office.
WHO stressed on the importance of hand hygiene as a prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or Mers.
Saudi Arabia expected between two and three million pilgrims for Haj this year.
Ebrahim Abdulla, 54, an Emirati pensioner who performed Haj last year, said there was a lack of hygiene facilities.
“Even though there was water for washing almost everywhere, there were few sanitation facilities to ensure the proper disposal of waste.
“Some washrooms did not have soap or sanitisers and there was no proper waste management system.”
He said that although the Saudi authorities were meeting basic health requirements, “the large number of people coming for Haj makes it difficult to ensure high standards”.
Mr Abdulla believed the country where the pilgrim was travelling from also had to make sure health standards were maintained.
“The UAE Haj authority, for example, makes additional efforts to ensure good standards for Emiratis,” he said.
Mr Abdulla, who has performed Haj four times, believes efforts are required to raise awareness of hygiene and sanitation.
“Even if facilities were provided, people need to actually use them, which is not always the case,” he said.
Asma Al Khoori, 26, an Emirati, travelled to Mecca and Medina this Ramadan.
“There is a lot of construction around the mosques and it was very crowded as well. Washing your hands all the time is difficult,” said the healthcare worker from Abu Dhabi.
“In the Holy Mosque in Mecca, the toilets are underground and it takes a while just to go there.
“The toilets are always busy and people rarely go there to wash their hands. It would help if hand sanitisers are installed or are available.
She believed, however, there have been improvements in the recent years as “people are always busy cleaning the mosque”.
“Every half an hour you see someone washing the floors,” she added.
WHO is coordinating with the ministry of health in Saudi Arabia to make sure that health and welfare of pilgrims will be take priority.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
