As Maldivian pilgrims return from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, local hospitals have launched special flu clinics to address a potential rise in post-travel illnesses. The initiative comes in response to the health risks traditionally associated with large-scale pilgrimages.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Hulhumalé Hospital have both activated dedicated flu care services aimed at providing timely medical attention to returning pilgrims who may experience symptoms such as fever, cough, or fatigue.
IGMH has urged individuals who recently performed Hajj to seek immediate medical assistance if they feel unwell. The hospital’s flu clinic operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is based at Patient Care Room Number 10. Patients are first required to report to the ER triage counter, where they will receive a consultation token through the QueueBee Token System. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, they will then be directed to either the flu clinic or the main emergency department.
In Hulhumalé, a similar service is now available at Hulhumalé Hospital. The flu clinic is open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day except Friday and is located near the hospital’s main counter. Hospital officials emphasized that all patients visiting the flu clinic must wear face masks as a precautionary measure.
With more than 1,000 Maldivians having travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year, health authorities are preparing for an expected increase in respiratory illnesses and other communicable diseases often seen during the post-Hajj period.
Medical professionals stress the importance of early intervention and have encouraged pilgrims to monitor their health closely for at least two weeks following their return. The initiative complements broader health advisories issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the community.
The establishment of these dedicated flu clinics reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to ensure public health safety while supporting the wellbeing of pilgrims as they reintegrate into their communities.
