The Kano State Government has commenced medical screening and immunisation for 3,613 intending pilgrims as part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The director-general of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed this during the official flag-off of the exercise at the Hajj Camp Clinic in Kano.

Matawalle said the screening and immunisation programme is mandatory for all intending pilgrims from the state, stressing that the initiative complies with health requirements set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to him, the exercise is aimed at ensuring that pilgrims are medically fit and properly certified before the issuance of Hajj visas for the 2026 pilgrimage.

He explained that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had directed that all intending pilgrims undergo comprehensive medical examinations, including tests for cancer, tuberculosis, pregnancy, liver- and kidney-related ailments, as well as psychological disorders, among other health checks.

The director-general added that the screening would be conducted in phases based on the pilgrims’ respective local government areas, with a target of at least 250 pilgrims attended to daily.

Matawalle urged medical personnel and officials involved in the exercise to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication, and integrity to ensure a smooth process.

He also called on intending pilgrims to cooperate fully with health officials to guarantee the success of the programme.

The director-general reaffirmed the board’s commitment to providing quality welfare services and ensuring a hitch-free Hajj operation for Kano pilgrims, assuring that necessary measures were being put in place to safeguard the well-being of all participants ahead of their journey to Saudi Arabia.