Zamfara pilgrim defies hajj health policy, gives birth in Saudi Arabia

A pilgrim from Zamfara state has delivered a baby in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, during the 2025 hajj exercise.

The development that has sparked concerns over breaches of health regulations.

Saudi Arabia and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have consistently warned that pregnant women should not participate in the pilgrimage due to its strenuous nature and the risk of medical emergencies.

Despite the warnings, cases of Nigerian pilgrims evading pregnancy screening continue to emerge.

The 2025 guidelines issued by the Saudi ministry of health prohibit participation by women in their final two months of pregnancy or those with high-risk pregnancies at any stage.

The Saudi authorities said the rule is designed to protect both pilgrims and the integrity of healthcare services during the physically demanding spiritual rites.

The health advisory also bars individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as kidney, heart, liver and lung disease, cancer, dementia, and communicable infections including tuberculosis and whooping cough.

In Nigeria, state pilgrims welfare boards and licensed travel agencies are required to conduct medical checks — including mandatory pregnancy tests — in line with NAHCON’s protocol for hajj operations.

Speaking to journalists in Medina, Abubakar Yagawal, NAHCON’s commissioner for planning, research and information, and said the commission would engage relevant state officials to strengthen the screening process.

“We will work closely with the state handlers to ensure diligence in screening pilgrims, especially women, to safeguard their lives and that of their unborn children,” Yagawal said.

He, however, cautioned against placing full blame on the commission or the Zamfara pilgrims board.

“Though I am not defending any state pilgrims board, other variables may have contributed to this kind of breach,” he said.

Yagawal also addressed the issue of fraud targeting Nigerian pilgrims, describing it as “brazenly heartless”.

“It’s disheartening and disgusting for a Muslim to be brazenly heartless as to commit these atrocities in the holy land,” he said.

The office said the commission would continue to sensitise pilgrims on how to guard their basic travel allowance and valuables, and urged the media to help raise awareness.