Health Screening at National Entry Points Credited with Reducing Hajj Pilgrim Mortality This Year

Strengthening early detection and cross-sector collaboration at the country’s entry points is considered key to maintaining the health of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. These efforts are credited with successfully reducing morbidity and mortality rates during this year’s Hajj operations.

This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Health, Benjamin Paulus Oktavianus, while personally inspecting the return process of the first group of pilgrims from Banten Province at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, on Tuesday (2/6/2026).

According to Benjamin, this success is inseparable from the implementation of strict health screenings starting from the departure phase at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory. The policy of cancelling departures for prospective pilgrims who do not meet health requirements is deemed effective in preventing greater risks during the Hajj pilgrimage.

“When I inspected the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory during the departure phase, there were 14 prospective pilgrims whose departures were cancelled because their health conditions were not permissible. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates have dropped significantly compared to previous years,” Benjamin stated in a press release on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

He explained that the embarkation/debarkation phase is a crucial stage in the Hajj administration, as it serves as a momentum for monitoring the health of pilgrims after their long journey from the Holy Land. During this stage, health officials conduct thorough examinations to detect potential infectious diseases or other health issues that require further medical attention.