Launch of British Hajj delegation 2009 (October 27, 2009)
Every year the Foreign Office sends a delegation to provide medical and consular support to British national performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Foreign Secretary launched this year's delegation on 27 October along with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf (Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK), Lord Patel of Blackburn (Head of Delegation) and Dr Syed Mohiud-din (Chief Doctor).
The British Hajj Delegation (BHD) has been functioning for over ten years and has been led by Lord Patel of Blackburn for the last nine of those. The delegation includes a Chief Medical Advisor (CMA), seven other Doctors (including one female Doctor), and three FCO Consular officers. The delegation is based in Makkah and provides clinical services for around 3 weeks. Last year there were approximately 23,000 British pilgrims performing Hajj and over 3,000 of them were supported by the delegation.
The delegation leaves for Jeddah on 11 November and is due to return on 5 December. The medical clinic giving basic treatment to British pilgrims will operate in Makkah before the pilgrimage and for a few days after it. Serious illnesses will be referred to Saudi hospitals, which provide free treatment during the Hajj.
Notes for Editors
UK foreign policy news
- UK support for Kosovo is robust and enduring (November 24, 2009)
- Afghanistan is number one foreign policy priority (November 24, 2009)
- FCO appoints Head of Digital (November 24, 2009)
- 'A golden opportunity for Cyprus' (November 24, 2009)
- Climate change high on Commonwealth agenda (November 24, 2009)
- Be on the Ball for World Cup 2010 (November 23, 2009)
- Queen's Speech debate 2009 (November 23, 2009)
- Human Rights resolution on Iran (November 20, 2009)
- Change of Ambassador to Mozambique (November 20, 2009)
- Cluster munitions ban will make world a safer place (November 20, 2009)
