Ministry Ensures Optimal Care for Umrah Pilgrims Facing Health Crises in Transit

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has committed to providing optimal medical and legal assistance for Umrah pilgrims who experience emergencies in transit countries as part of its mandate to protect Indonesian citizens abroad.

Speaking in Jakarta on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Head of the Sub-Directorate for Umrah Supervision at the Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Andi Muhammad Taufik, explained that the government is taking proactive steps to ensure no pilgrim is left without support during their journey.

This guarantee comes in response to the need for swift state intervention when pilgrims face health crises or legal hurdles while traveling between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. The Ministry is committed to resolving both legal and medical challenges that may arise during the journey to or from the holy land.

"The Ministry ensures handling if legal problems occur in Saudi Arabia or transit countries, as well as if there are health issues experienced by pilgrims," Andi stated, as quoted by Antara.

A recent case involved a pilgrim who became severely weak while transiting at Muscat International Airport, Oman, on February 5, 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Muscat received this information from KIMS Hospital, where the patient was initially treated before being moved to another facility for advanced care on February 8.

Once the patient’s condition stabilized, medical authorities cleared them for repatriation to Indonesia on the condition of an immediate hospital referral upon arrival. "The Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue to monitor the patient's condition after arriving in Indonesia," Andi said regarding the follow-up care.

Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital (RSPI) in Jakarta prepared an ambulance, a ventilator, and a medical team to receive the pilgrim directly from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Accompanied by family and the Umrah Travel Agency (PPIU), the pilgrim was successfully transferred to the referral hospital at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time for further treatment.

The Ministry now plans to conduct a formal clarification process with the travel agency regarding the financial responsibilities incurred during the medical treatment. “There is a need to evaluate the obligation of pilgrim protection by PPIU, especially regarding medical cost guarantees. We will also evaluate the travel insurance policies for Umrah pilgrims,” Andi remarked. ***