Haj pilgrims need special health certificate Click here to download the free TOI T Ramavarman,TNN | Aug 30, 2013, KOCHI: Indian Haj pilgrims will have to submit a special health certificate this season to get emigration clearance stating they are fit to travel. Health officials attached to the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) told TOI that this condition was being insisted upon in the backdrop of reports of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) cases from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. The Union health and family welfare ministry and Airport Health Organization had issued the protocol to avoid spread of MERS corona virus infection, Dr Teddy Raphel, health officer at CIAL, said. He said the certificate should state that the pilgrims are fit to travel and do not have acute diabetics or cardiovascular problems. Airport director A C K Nair said those returning from Saudi Arabia and other countries that have reported MERS virus infection cases would be asked to make self-declarations if they had symptoms related to the virus infection. They would be subjected to symptomatic screening at the airport and would be sent to the nearby designated hospitals if needed, Nair added. Of the 103 people who had been infected with the virus, 49 have died, said Raphel.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:49:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015