Muslims Advised To Curtail Umrah, Hajj Journeys Amid H1N1 Woes
Written by Farah Ahmadnawi Friday, 03 July 2009 09:03
According to the official spokesman of the Saudi Health Ministry, the Ministry of Health has provided all the preparations in the event of an actual outbreak during Hajj.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that 77 out of 89 recorded swine flu cases have recovered after completing the treatment. With the newly detected cases, they are able to return to their normal lives with a stable health condition in which they still have to undergo quarantine according to the procedures until they are confirmed to be completely recovered.
The Ministry of Health's spokesman emphasised the need to focus on the Information Technology and Monitoring and tracing devices for the infected cases since they have been provided with sufficient quantities including the laboratory equipments, laboratories and health sectors under the request of the Ministry. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Public Laud Haj Travel Advisory Over H1N1
Written by Fitri Shahminan Thursday, 20 August 2009 06:37
Bandar Seri Begawan - The public have lauded the recent move by the relevant authorities in light of their advisory on the postponement of the Haj and Umrah trips for intending pilgrims who fall under the high-risk group of contracting Influenza A (H1N1).
"It is absolutely a very timely action implemented by the relevant authorities,...prevention is better than cure," said Hj Hamdani Hj Alias, the former assistant head of the Counseling and Career Section under the Schools Department, the Ministry of Education.
The retiree, who is now a part-time motivational speaker, said recently that the high-risk group should foresee and understand the complication it may cause if they insist to proceed with their trips.
"The number of people there was massive...these high risk groups have weaker immune system, and in these sort of mass congregations, rapid spread is certainly possible," said Hj Hamdani, who recently returned from an Umrah trip.
A senior reservations sales agent at Royal Brunei Airlines, Nurlelawati Roslan, described the authority's decision as the "best move", as she highlighted the chances of the affected age groups to contract the virus are higher.
"They should understand that it (the postponement) was introduced because of the recent outbreak of H1N1 and it's for their own good too so they should be grateful instead," she said, adding that she certainty agreed with the postponement advisory.
Another member of the public who agreed with the advisory was the general manager of Kiulap Plaza Hotel who commented that it was a prudent decision made by the authorities.
"I believe that most people can accept but there may also be complaints from those who cannot accept the decision," she said, adding that any complaints on the decision would be unnecessary.
The general manager also advised the affected group to have faith in Allah the Almighty (Tawakal) as opportunities to carry out obligations as a Muslim are always there, thus they should also be patient.
Rasimoon Hj Adinin, head of Human Resource and Corporate Department of Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, informed that the haj travel and umrah operator has already started collecting deposits for the trip and the exact numbers of those fall under the high-risk category could not be confirmed as of yet. "Of course we are await of the situation but we advise them to be calm and accept the decision as well as understand that it is introduced for their own good," he said, hoping that all would go well for the performing pilgrims this year.
Another major haj and umrah travel operator, Titian Travel and Tours through its managing director, Hj Sabli Hj Arsad, said that the company would inform intending pilgrims in the affected group and hoped that they would understand the benefit of the decision introduced by the relevant authorities.
"Those who fall under the high-risk category are those who would contract the virus easily, so they should understand that the government is taking care of the people and be grateful that their health conditions are top priority here," said Acting Director of Haj Department Pg Hj Mustapa Pg Hj Aliuddin.
He told The Brunei Times that they are expecting more than 300 intending pilgrims under the high-risk group who would be postponing their haj trip this year.The department, under the advisory of the Ministry of Health, has recently announced that high-risk pilgrims were to postpone their haj and umrah trips this year to avoid the spread of the pandemic virus.
The category of people who fall under the high risk group is children under the age of 12, senior citizens aged above 65, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases.
-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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