PETALING JAYA: Those with chronic or infectious diseases will not be eligible to perform the haj next year under new health requirements set by Saudi Arabia for the 1447H/2026M pilgrimage season.
A statement by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) said that Saudi authorities had made it compulsory for all prospective pilgrims to meet the new health conditions before being granted a haj visa.
"Among the main requirements is that pilgrims must be free from infectious diseases or uncontrolled chronic illnesses, and be physically able to perform the hajj independently without relying on others.
"Anyone diagnosed with certain health conditions will not qualify to perform the pilgrimage.
"These include chronic kidney failure, heart failure or serious heart diseases, neurological or mental disorders affecting cognitive and motor functions, old age with dementia or extreme physical frailty, high-risk pregnancies, active infectious diseases and cancer undergoing treatment," the statement detailed on Monday (Oct 20).
TH group managing director and chief executive officer Mustakim Mohamad said the safety, welfare and comfort of Malaysian pilgrims had always been the board’s top priority in every hajj operation.
"TH takes the health aspects of pilgrims very seriously, especially while they are in the Holy Land.
"As in previous years, a large number of the support staff will consist of health officers from the Health Ministry," he said.
For the upcoming 1447H/2026M hajj season, TH will continue to provide health clinics at all pilgrims’ accommodations in Makkah and Madinah, each equipped with outpatient services and pharmacies operated by Health Ministry personnel.
However, Mustakim said TH would no longer be allowed to operate its own treatment centres in the Holy Land.
Instead, he said, pilgrims requiring further medical care will be referred to hospitals run by the Saudi government with oversight from Malaysian medical specialists.
He also advised all prospective pilgrims to prepare themselves physically, as performing the haj demands high endurance under the hot and dusty weather conditions in Saudi Arabia.
