Chaos mars Haj health check-up camp at Mayo hosp, pilgrims suffer

Nagpur: The health check-up camp organised at Indira Gandhi Govt Medical College and Hospital (Mayo) for Haj pilgrimage 2026 witnessed significant disorder on its very first day, leaving several pilgrims inconvenienced for hours due to a lack of basic arrangements.Pilgrims complained of an acute shortage of doctors and essential equipment at the camp. They said ECG machines were non-functional, while even basic consumables such as ECG rolls and gel were unavailable. The situation led to confusion and long waiting times, causing particular hardship to elderly pilgrims standing in crowded conditions and harsh sunlight. Over 1,000 pilgrims were allotted Mayo Hospital for the mandatory check-up.Following complaints, corporator-elect from Prabhag 8, Wasim Khan, reached the spot, where another corporator-elect Siraj Ahmed was already present assisting pilgrims. Khan contacted senior officials and spoke to IGGMCH brass. He also called Maharashtra Haj Committee chairman Asif Khan and expressed strong displeasure over the mismanagement. The matter was taken up with Mayo Hospital authorities, including the medical superintendent.IGGMCH medical superintendent Dr Nitin Shende said arrangements for the Haj medical examinations were carried out as per protocol and that nearly 1,200 registered pilgrims from Nagpur were accommodated. He explained that medical screening involves multiple stages, including blood tests, X-rays, ECG, physician examination, and vaccination, which cannot be completed at a single counter or through one machine. Separate arrangements, including different X-ray rooms for male and female pilgrims, were made, he said. Dr Shende attributed initial delays to logistical adjustments on the first day and assured that the process was running smoothly. He added that from the next day, examinations would be streamlined with better division of pilgrims across facilities to avoid overcrowding.Hospital authorities assured that all required facilities would be ensured henceforth and that no pilgrim would face inconvenience in the coming days.