The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reported that three pregnant Nigerian women suffered miscarriages during the recently concluded Hajj pilgrimage in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
One expectant mother, however, gave birth successfully. The Commission also confirmed that nine Nigerian pilgrims died during the religious exercise.
Additionally, the Commission encountered serious difficulties managing 15 cases of psychiatric illness among pilgrims.
Dr. Sani Garba, head of NAHCON’s medical team, disclosed these details during a post-Hajj review meeting held in Mecca on Tuesday, June 10.
Garba stated, “We really had difficulty managing over 15 patients who have acute psychiatric illnesses. It’s challenging for us.”
He explained that the biggest hurdle his team faced was the restricted access to antipsychotic medication within Saudi Arabia.
“We were not allowed to purchase these drugs. We only take our patients to Saudi hospitals for a shot and return them,” he said.
Garba noted that some of the affected individuals had a known family history of psychiatric illness but were unable to bring their prescribed medications into the holy land due to entry restrictions.
“It’s quite challenging, so we are calling on the management to take up this issue,” he urged.
The 2025 Hajj began on Wednesday, June 4, and concluded on Monday, June 9, with over 1.67 million pilgrims from around the world participating in the sacred rites.
NAHCON reported that the death toll among Nigerian pilgrims in 2025 was significantly lower than in 2024, when at least 30 Nigerians lost their lives during the pilgrimage.
