Shafaq News- Najaf
Sixty medical units staffed by more than 2,500 volunteers are providinghealthcare services to pilgrims walking the 80-kilometer route between Najafand Karbala for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, offering first aid, medical checks andemergency assistance throughout the journey.
The units, operated by Najaf’s Health Directorate and volunteer groups,have been positioned along major pilgrimage routes to support visitorssuffering from exhaustion, heat-related illnesses, dehydration and minorinjuries.
Rasl Fadhil Shukor, head of the Volunteer Work Division at Najaf’sHealth Directorate, told Shafaq News that the division received requests fromhealth employees wishing to establish medical stations, assessed their needsand completed the required procedures before deployment.
“Volunteers were instructed to follow health regulations, referralprocedures and coordinate with medical institutions to ensure appropriate carefor pilgrims,” he remarked.
The medical network consists of 20 stations operated by Najaf HealthDirectorate employees and 40 managed by volunteer teams. The stations have beendistributed across key pilgrimage routes, including the Mishkhab and Manathiraareas, the Kufa route and the Thawrat al-Ishreen road toward Khan al-Nus.
Doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, paramedics and other healthcarevolunteers are working in shifts to ensure medical coverage continuesthroughout the pilgrimage period.
The most common cases treated by medical teams involve exhaustion causedby long-distance walking, heat exhaustion, dehydration, minor cuts, footinjuries, and blood sugar or blood pressure issues. Stations without doctorsprovide first aid and health guidance, while those with authorized medicalstaff can dispense medicines in accordance with health regulations.
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Along the same route, the Najaf Volunteer Health Team has mobilized 222volunteers, including doctors, healthcare workers, pharmacists and medicalgraduates, to offer additional support to pilgrims.
“We have allocated part of the medical unit for women and emergencycases,” team coordinator Murtadha Abbas told Shafaq News.
Maram Asim, a PhD student volunteering with the team, explained thattaking part in pilgrimage services has allowed her and her colleagues todirectly assist visitors.
She added that the team provides pain relief medication and woundtreatment, while ambulances are available to transport patients requiringhospital care.
The medical response is accompanied by cultural and awareness activitiesalong the pilgrimage route. The Volunteer Cultural Development and AdvancementTeam has distributed awareness materials, guided pilgrims and provided generalassistance, particularly for children and elderly visitors.
Arbaeen marks the 40th day of mourning after the martyrdom of ImamHussein, the third Shia Imam and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The annualpilgrimage draws millions of Shiite visitors to Karbala, making it one of thelargest religious gatherings in the world.
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