The Saudi government has introduced strict restrictions for seriously ill individuals intending to perform Haj 2026. Under a new policy, pilgrims deemed critically unfit will be deported back to their home countries, with the cost of return travel to be borne by the pilgrims themselves.
Sources within the Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that action will be taken against doctors who issue fitness certificates to pilgrims who are seriously ill.
The ministry emphasized that, in line with directives from the Saudi Ministry of Health for Haj 2026, patients suffering from kidney disease or those undergoing dialysis will not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
The Saudi ministry has also prohibited Haj for patients with heart diseases that limit their ability to perform physical activity. Individuals with advanced lung and liver diseases will also face restrictions and would not be allowed to participate.
In addition, the Saudi government has barred people with severe neurological or psychiatric illnesses, memory impairment, severe disabilities, and dementia from performing Haj.
People suffering from severe old age-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, will also be restricted. Pregnant women, as well as patients with whooping cough, tuberculosis, and viral hemorrhagic fever, will similarly be unable to perform Haj 2026.
Cancer patients have also been declared ineligible for Haj. Medical officers will be authorized to prevent such individuals from traveling before departure. Monitoring teams deployed by Saudi authorities will assess and verify the authenticity of each pilgrim’s fitness certificate.
Source: The News