Lembaga Tabung Haji has converted an apartment in Medina into a temporary 24-bed hospital equipped with a pharmacy and physiotherapy facilities.

Seventeen doctors, including respiratory specialists, and 50 nurses are stationed at the hospital, said its operation director, Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah.

He said so far two pilgrims, Ahmad A Rahman, 76, and Halimah Abd Manap, 72, had been warded at the hospital, which started operation on Sept 13.

Ahmad has an infection in his legs while Halimah suffered from breathing problems during her flight to the Holy Land, Dr Wan Mansor told Malaysian reporters who visited the hospital today.

The hospital is located two kilometres from hotels where Malaysian pilgrims were staying. The apartment, which housed the hospital, was rented by Tabung Haji for the haj season.

Tabung Haji also provides two outpatient clinics for Malaysian pilgrims at Al Haram Hotel and Movenpick Hotel in Medina.

Dr Wan Mansor said Malaysian pilgrims who suffered serious ailments and needed surgeries would be transferred to Saudi Arabian government-owned hospitals with the bills footed by Tabung Haji.

He advised Malaysian pilgrims to look after their health by ensuring that they have regular meals and take their medication even though they were busy performing the haj.

“As the weather in the Holy Land currently is very warm and dry, the pilgrims should take precaution by not exposing themselves too long in the sun as they can get heat stroke. They should also drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration,” he added.

He said from previous experience, Malaysian pilgrims above 60 years normally encountered breathing difficulties and pneumonia, and the risk was higher if they had asthma or were smokers.

- Bernama