2027 Hajj: Kebbi Introduces Five Steps Medical Screenings
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency is charting a new course for pilgrim healthcare ahead of the 2027 Hajj, introducing a comprehensive five-stage medical screening programme designed to strengthen health compliance, improve pilgrims’ welfare and align with Saudi Arabia’s increasingly stringent eligibility requirements.
The far-reaching reforms follow lessons from the 2026 Hajj, during which Saudi health authorities identified 11 Kebbi pilgrims who travelled with undisclosed medical conditions that contravened the Kingdom’s Hajj health regulations, bringing the state close to regulatory sanctions.
Determined to prevent a recurrence, the Agency has overhauled its healthcare strategy to ensure medical teams detect, monitor and manage health conditions early, consistently and appropriately, long before departure.
The reforms also include plans to deploy mental health specialists to accompany pilgrims throughout their stay in Makkah and Madinah, marking a significant expansion of medical support services.
In this interview, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruku Aliyu Yaro Enabo (Jagaban Gwandu), reflects on the successes of the 2026 Hajj, speaks candidly about the hidden medical challenges that shaped the state’s post-Hajj review, explains why Kebbi is introducing five medical screenings for intending pilgrims, and outlines a comprehensive healthcare reform agenda aimed at delivering a safer, more efficient and internationally compliant Hajj operation in 2027.
Question: The 2026 Hajj has been widely described as one of Kebbi State’s most successful pilgrimages. How would you assess the overall performance?
Enabo: Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to Almighty Allah for making our responsibilities easier and granting us success. Before the Hajj, we outlined our strategies, objectives and commitments to ensure the comfort, welfare and satisfaction of our pilgrims. Looking back, I believe many of those objectives were achieved.
However, the final assessment belongs to the media, our pilgrims and the people of Kebbi State. Their observations and experiences will determine how successful our efforts truly were. These achievements are not mine alone or those of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency they belong to Kebbi State and every pilgrim who represented our state in the Holy Land.
Question: Despite the success, what would you describe as the biggest challenge during the 2026 Hajj?
Enabo: Without doubt, the greatest challenge was pilgrims who travelled with undisclosed medical conditions. Some pilgrims experienced mental health or psychological conditions that our pre-Hajj preparations did not detect.
These conditions only became evident after they arrived in Saudi Arabia, particularly during movements between Madinah and Makkah.
Although many of them completed their Hajj successfully, the experience exposed a significant gap in our healthcare planning and became an important lesson for us.
Question: How will these lessons influence preparations for the 2027 Hajj?
Enabo: We have already developed new strategies. One of the most important is the introduction of five medical screenings for every intending pilgrim. Instead of waiting until shortly before departure, medical examinations will begin immediately after a pilgrim pays the Hajj deposit.
Additional assessments will then be conducted at different stages before departure. This approach will allow us to identify health concerns early enough for treatment or, where necessary, for the pilgrim to nominate a qualified replacement before registration closes.
Question: Why did the Board decide to introduce mental health specialists?
Enabo: During the 2026 Hajj, we deployed 32 medical doctors, but none specialised in mental healthcare. Yet our biggest healthcare challenge involved pilgrims with psychological conditions. We realised that this gap must be addressed.
2027 Hajj: Kebbi Introduces Five Steps Medical Screenings
By the grace of Allah, we intend to recruit qualified mental health specialists for the 2027 Hajj. Some will remain with pilgrims in Madinah, while others will serve in Makkah. They will accompany pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage, including Mina and Arafat, and remain until the final return flight leaves Saudi Arabia.
Question: Reports indicate that Kebbi nearly faced sanctions from Saudi authorities. What actually happened?
Enabo: During the pilgrimage, Saudi health authorities identified eleven pilgrims from Kebbi State who had travelled despite having medical conditions that did not meet Saudi Arabia’s Hajj eligibility requirements.
This brought us very close to regulatory sanctions and affected some operational privileges during the return phase. It was a serious experience and one we do not wish to repeat. That is why stricter medical screening has become a priority for us.
Question: Some returning pilgrims complained that doctors were not available on certain return flights. How do you respond?
Enabo: I appreciate constructive feedback because it helps us improve. Our decision was based on the need to retain doctors in Saudi Arabia to continue caring for thousands of pilgrims who had not yet returned home. In addition, many of our medical personnel were serving under the National Hajj Commission because of Kebbi State’s strong healthcare reputation.
Nevertheless, we have reviewed this issue and intend to ensure that doctors accompany return flights while maintaining adequate medical services for pilgrims who remain in Saudi Arabia.
Question: What message do you have for intending pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj?
Enabo: My appeal is simple: be truthful about your health. Concealing medical conditions creates unnecessary risks for the individual, other pilgrims and the entire Hajj operation.
Early medical disclosure allows doctors to provide appropriate care and ensures compliance with Saudi regulations. Our goal is not to deny anyone the opportunity to perform Hajj but to ensure that every pilgrim travels safely, performs the pilgrimage successfully and returns home in good health.
Question: Finally, what is your vision for the 2027 Hajj?
Enabo: Our vision is continuous improvement. Every Hajj teaches us valuable lessons, and we are committed to acting on them. Through earlier medical screening, repeated health assessments, specialised mental healthcare and improved deployment of medical personnel, we believe the 2027 Hajj will be even safer and more efficient for our pilgrims. Service to pilgrims is a trust, and we remain committed to delivering the highest standard of welfare possible by the grace of Almighty Allah.
