Tehran – According to the head of the IRCS, a total of 8,200 rescue workers from the Iranian Red Crescent Association (IRCS), including relief workers, doctors and nurses, will serve Iraqis during the pilgrimage of Aaaain.
Additionally, around 7,000 IRC forces work on routes and boundaries within the country, Ilib quotes Pirhossein Koliband as saying.
Albain commemorates the martialism of Imam Hussein on the 40th day of Asura, is the world’s largest annual pilgrimage. This year it will be August 14th.
Every year, millions of Shiites trek through the 80-kilometre Najaf Kalbara route in a faith-led multinational movement that embodies Islamic unity, solidarity and a lasting call for justice.
The four hospitals will serve in Najaf, Kalbara Highway. He added that the number of medical Mawkibs (voluntary stations) is on the rise in Kabbalah, Najaf and Samara.
Pilgrims can benefit from medical, health and nutrition consultations for free through mobile applications, Koliband noted.
Officials went on to say that the IRC will use more than 200 special vehicles and ambulances to perform the tasks during the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Intel. Congress on “Albain’s Health”
The 5th International Conference on Health in Arbaeen was held in Tehran from May 26th to 27th, with six countries taking part in the event.
This year’s event brought together participants and 24 international lecturers from Italy, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, the Netherlands and the UK, the IRNA reported.
“The main goal of the Congress is to make doctors on the Albain pilgrimage familiar with health care and treatment issues. It mainly focuses on endemic diseases that could be spread by Afghan and Pakistani pilgrims passing Iran towards Iraq.”
They also discussed guidelines for the treatment of skin, musculoskeletal, and other diseases, as well as medications and medical devices needed.
Just like the previous year, medical universities at the border will take precautions to monitor infections.
Iraq praises IRC for its service
In August 2024, Iraqi Health Minister Sale Mehdi al-Hasnawi praised Iran’s Red Crescent Association (IRCS) for his remarkable efforts to provide services during the pilgrimage of Aaaain.
Al-Hasnawi, who met with an Iranian delegation led by Kolivand, said “the cooperation with Iraq’s Ministry of Health in Iran’s Red Crescent Association in providing health services to pilgrims is worthy of praise,” the IRCS website reported.
“The health services are being implemented in cooperation with the parties for all pilgrims, including Iranians and Arabs,” he added.
On August 5, 2024, Iranian and Iraqi officials held a meeting in Baghdad to review and discuss strategies to promote Albaini’s pilgrimage and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Iran’s Home Minister Majid Miramadi and Koliband followed the latest arrangements held regarding the Albainian pilgrimage in a meeting with Iraq’s Home Minister Abdul Amir al-Shamari.
During the meeting, Iranian officials were given permission to run IRCS rescue helicopters and ambulances and bring in the necessary medicines and equipment to provide medical services to pilgrims.
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