This year's Hajj pilgrims should prioritize their health, as this pilgrimage demands significant mental and physical strength. Prospective pilgrims should also undergo health checks to minimize the risk of illness in the Holy Land.
According to the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) data, there were 92,668 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2022. Of these, 64,767 had pre-existing medical conditions, while 27,901 did not.
Kemenkes data reveals 11 prevalent illnesses among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2022. The most common was dyslipidemia, affecting 26,273 individuals.
Dyslipidemia is a condition where blood lipid levels exceed normal limits. It can be asymptomatic, but increases the risk of heart disease.
"Therefore, routine screening is crucial for early detection and can prevent or delay death from cardiovascular disease. Advanced age is a major risk factor for dyslipidemia," according to a Kemenkes statement on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Essential hypertension was the second most prevalent illness, affecting 20,675 pilgrims.
Diabetes mellitus affected 11,352 pilgrims, followed by cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) affecting 4,548, and gastritis and dyspepsia (digestive problems) affecting 3,930.
"Most of the illnesses among Hajj pilgrims are risk factors for heart attacks (dyslipidemia), stroke (essential hypertension), and pneumonia (diabetes mellitus)," according to a Kemenkes report received by Databoks.co.id on Friday, May 19, 2023.
The following are the types of illnesses suffered by Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2022:
1. Dyslipidemia: 26,273 people
2. Essential Hypertension: 20,675 people
3. Diabetes Mellitus: 11,352 people
4. Cardiomegaly: 4,548 people
5. Gastritis and Dyspepsia: 3,930 people
6. Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease: 2,767 people
7. Hypertensive Heart Disease: 2,660 people
8. Obesity: 2,476 people
9. Urinary Tract Infection: 1,344 people
10. Asthma: 767 people
11. Heart Failure: 732 people