Pilgrims
THE Senegal announced a strengthening of its health system after the death of numerous faithful during the pilgrimage to the Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Senegalese pilgrims returning from the Hajj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, have been subjected to voluntary Covid-19 testing and forced to don a mask at the international airport.
Health Minister Ibrahima Sy cited the deaths that occurred in La Mecca due to extreme heat but often to serious respiratory problems.
“Initially, we thought it was linked to heat waves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realized that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death,” he said. -he said according to a recording of his remarks broadcast by the media.
“We said to ourselves that, probably, there is a respiratory type epidemic, and it was our duty to be able to monitor the pilgrims on their return by setting up a screening system for everything that is particularly related to the Covid-19,” he added.
This pilgrimage, which ended on a tragic note with more than 1,300 deaths, according to the Saudi authorities, has left many countries in mourning, particularly Africans.
This year, 12,860 Senegalbut would have taken part in the 2024 Hajj. The strong heat, which prevailed during the rites, unfortunately cost the lives of five (05) of these Senegalese pilgrims whom the government asked to bury in the holy city.
