inp.polri.go.id - Surabaya. The Religion Ministry saw that the effort of istitoah health protocols as a condition for pilgrims leaving for the Holy Land has successfully suppressed the death rate on pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Director of Overseas Hajj Services, Subhan Cholid, says that last year, the death rate for Indonesian pilgrims was 700 during their pilgrimage.

“As for this year, amidst the increase in our pilgrim quote from 221,000 to 241,000, we managed to suppress the death rate to under 500,” says Subhan Cholid.

When overseeing the arrival of group 106 in Surabaya Debarkation Hajj Dormitory, he says that the istitoah health protocols implemented by all committee and stakeholders, including Health Ministry and Religion Ministry, is successful in mitigating the issue.

“Since early, we have been trying to mitigate the issue and doing assessment to all prospective Hajj pilgrims to ensure that those who depart have adequate health qualities," he said.

The Religion Ministry has completed the pilgrim’s return process through the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) which is spread across various destinations, including Surabaya.

Meanwhile, there are still 60 pilgrims who are still treated in Saudi Arabia and will return to Indonesia after they are fully recovered.

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