Health officials have criticized some countries for failing to educate their pilgrims on how to deal with the swine flu pandemic during this year's Haj. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, the Minister of Health, has confirmed that some Muslim countries did not follow advice on this issue. This is also the view of Dr. Ziyad Memish, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Preventive Medicine, who said that many Haj missions did not educate their pilgrims on ways to contain the disease. He said some countries did not comply with the health ministry's recommendations to hold awareness meetings before pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia. Memish said that despite the negligence by some countries, the situation is stable and reassuring and there is no cause for concern. He said this is corroborated by the fact that only 67 people were found to have the disease, from a total of about three million pilgrims from 180 countries. However, the heads of some Haj missions from overseas countries, have rejected the accusations of negligence. They pointed out that they did hold awareness meetings with their pilgrims. Ahmad Abdullah Ahmad, head of the Sudanese Haj mission, said Sudan held awareness meetings and practical courses two months ahead of the Haj. Hamoud Al-Hattar, Head of the Yemeni Haj mission, said he also held awareness programs, but pointed out that many people had a choice over whether they complied or not. There was always going to be negligence by some people, he said. Dr. Eisa Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Haj declined to comment on the issue and said this was the concern of the Ministry of Health. Officials of some Tawafa establishments blamed some pilgrims for failing to follow the rules despite the efforts of the Haj missions and the Ministry of Health. They said a considerable percentage of pilgrims did not implement the preventive measures because of their ignorance.
