Bengaluru: In an attempt to ensure that only medically fit pilgrims undertake the Haj pilgrimage, the health department has made a two-stage medical screening and fitness certification mandatory for all provisionally selected Haj 2027 aspirants from the state.In Bengaluru, the screening will also be conducted at Victoria Hospital, Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, KC General Hospital, Jayanagar General Hospital, and Sri CV Raman General Hospital.As per an order issued recently, stage 1 primary medical screening will be carried out by allopathic medical officers at taluk and district hospitals, including govt medical college hospitals, across the state.Provisionally selected pilgrims will have to undergo prescribed investigations, including CBC, blood sugar tests, chest X-ray, kidney and liver function tests, and ECG for those above 40 years or with comorbidities. They will then have to obtain a fitness certificate in the format specified by the ministries of health and minority affairs.The order stated that pilgrims must upload the primary medical screening and fitness certificate, along with payment slip, on the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) portal. They must also submit physical copies to the State Haj Committee office in Bengaluru by Sept 15.Pilgrims have been advised to retain the original fitness certificate and investigation reports, as these will be required during Stage-2 screening and vaccination, which will be conducted closer to the date of departure.The circular has also directed govt doctors conducting screening to furnish accurate reports and maintain proper records for verification by authorities, if required.Under the Haj Policy 2027 fitness criteria, pilgrims with severe medical conditions, including advanced cardiac, respiratory, liver or kidney disease, dementia, severe neurological or psychological disorders, active cancer undergoing treatment, or active infectious diseases such as open tuberculosis, will not be permitted to travel. Pregnant women who are more than 28 weeks along by the start of journey in April 2027 are also barred, in line with Saudi guidelines.
