Sokoto Flags Off Mandatory Health Screening for 2026 Hajj Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (SSPWA) has flagged off mandatory health screening for intending pilgrims as part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
According to a statement issued by Faruku Umar, Head of Information and Communications SSPWA, the screening exercise officially commenced on Monday at the auditorium of the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, by the Chairman of the Agency, Alhaji Aliyu Musa.
Speaking at the event, Alhaji Musa said the health screening is a non-negotiable requirement designed to ensure that all prospective pilgrims are medically fit and meet the prescribed health standards for participation in the Hajj.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at safeguarding the health and overall wellbeing of pilgrims while reducing health-related risks during the pilgrimage and ensuring a seamless Hajj operation.
The SSPWA chairman urged all intending pilgrims to cooperate fully with medical personnel and strictly comply with the guidelines governing the screening process, stressing that adherence is critical to the success of the exercise.
He also commended the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as the management and staff of the Specialist Hospital, for their collaboration and institutional support.
Alhaji Musa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to delivering efficient, effective, and standards-driven services to pilgrims from Sokoto State as preparations for the 2026 Hajj gather momentum.
The mandatory health screening is part of broader measures being implemented by the SSPWA to align with national and international Hajj health requirements.
