Updated on 10 June 2008
The World Federation and Imamia Medics International (IMI) Hajj Medical Mission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance medical services for Hujjaj during the Hajj season.
Background:
In 1977, The World Federation formed the Hajj Medical Mission.
In 1999 a needs assessment was carried out by the former Medical Advisory Board (MAB) where the results showed that whilst most groups from Europe, North America and Africa already had doctors within their respective groups, the groups from Pakistan and India endured the most hardships as they did not have any medical practitioners within their groups.
In 2000, the Hajj Medical Mission was revived by The World Federation. This time, there was a renewed objective: to raise awareness of the importance of a doctor accompanying each Hajj group going from India and Pakistan.
At the same time IMI Hajj Medical Mission had been serving Hujjaj for the last six years mainly from Pakistan and has since been growing from strength to strength. The Mission organises pre-Hajj seminars and apart from health lectures and medical advice, vaccinations are also offered to Hujjaj intending to go for Hajj. In addition, numerous clinics are operated both in Makkah and Medina to facilitate ease of service for Shia Hujjaj.
Recognizing the Need for Greater Health Care to Hujjaj:
During the Hajj of 1426/2006, a meeting took place in Makkah between The World Federation and the IMI Hajj Medical Mission to discuss the current situation of the health care provided to Hujjaj. Here, Azad bhai Kanani, past Treasurer of The World Federation and Dr Munir M Datoo, Assistant Secretary General for Health met with the representative of IMI Hajj Medical Mission. At that meeting it came to light that there is still a greater need for health care to the Shia Hujjaj.
To further understand, develop and provide the necessary support to the hujjaj, a follow up meeting was held in Karachi in February 2007 between The World Federation, IMI Hajj Medical Mission and the Pakistan Pilgrim Society. Here, it was felt that there was a need to arrange for a Hajj Forum to discuss issues around Hajj.
Photo: Meeting in Makkah 1426/2006 - Azad bhai Kanani and Dr Munir M Datoo of The World Federation and Dr Arif Naqvi and Dr Ali Mumtaz of IMI Hajj Medical.
Hajj Medical Forum: An Opportunity to Gain Insight:
In June 2007, a Hajj Medical Forum was held in Dar es Salaam to gain a better understanding of the health care challenges faced by the hujjaj and how to provide the optimum care for these individuals during this important journey. Hajj representatives from various regions, in addition to community leaders were present at the forum. Some of the key points discussed at the Hajj Forum included:
- The concept of satellite medical clinics during Hajj;
- The need to enhance communication and coordination among Hajj groups from all regions for the benefit of all the Hujjaj;
- The advantages of having the regional Hajj group organisers assemble the different Hajj groups from within their own constituencies together.
The Council of European Jamaats (CoEJ) organised a historic meeting where representatives from all Hajj groups within Europe met in London on 9th November 2007. Since then, the coordination of these groups in Europe has strengthened.
The Development of a Memorandum of Understanding
During Hajj 1427/2007, another follow up meeting took place between The World Federation’s Dr Munir M Datoo, Assistant Secretary General for Health and Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, Assistant Secretary General for Relief and Economic Development with Dr Arif Naqvi, Dr Akil Moosa and Dr Fakhir of IMI Hajj Medical Mission. At the meeting it was felt that if the number of doctors who accompanied the Hajj groups increased, then the concept of Satellite Clinics could easily be realised. Furthermore, all groups within the Shia Muslim community who do not have a doctor will now have access by way of a daily visit from one of the team doctors.
IMI Hajj Medical Mission has 5 doctors within their team and it was considered that if The World Federation were to sponsor 4 doctors, then this would increase the strength of the team to 9 doctors who can then, Inshallah, cater to the needs of the Shia Hujjaj.
This relationship then led to a Memorandum of Understating between The World Federation and IMI Hajj Medical Mission.
Key points from the Memorandum of Understanding:
- The World Federation will sponsor 4 doctors. The sponsorship will be for 1 year initially and reviewed after Hajj of 2008/1429.
- IMI HMM will inform the World Federation of:
• The addresses where they will hold their clinics (by 15th Zilqa’ad)
• Their contact number for Saudi Arabia
- The World Federation will give out these details to all its regions to be passed onto the Hujjaj going for Hajj.
- IMI will offer at least one clinic per day at the accommodation of groups from our community coming from Europe, North America and Africa who do not have their own doctors.
- IMI will have one named person as the coordinator who will make contact with all groups from our community and visit the groups at least once during the duration of Hajj. The World Federation will provide contact details of all Hajj groups from the community coming from Africa, Europe and North America. IMI already has contact details of groups from Pakistan.
- Both The World Federation and IMI will try and get contact details of Shia groups coming from India so as to serve Shia Hujjaj from India as well.
Click here to donate towards sponsorship of a doctor
For more information, please email health@world-federation.org