ISLAMABAD, July 14: The government has decided to conduct medical screening of the intending Haj pilgrims to stop handicapped and vulnerable persons from travelling.

The step was necessitated due to cases of death and miscarriages reported in Saudi Arabia previously, mostly due to old age or advanced stage of pregnancy.

Under the Haj policy announced on July 3, a warning will be given to the Haj pilgrims that no one will be allowed to embark on pilgrimage unless he/she is screened by medical officers. The screening will be conducted at the Haji camps to check extremely old or handicapped persons, women at advanced stage of pregnancy and patients of tuberculosis, hepatitis or other contagious diseases.

The administration has decided to seek permission of the Saudi authorities for use of A+C vaccine instead of ACW-135 meningitis prescribed last year, which was not available.

The pilgrims will be allowed to carry medicines prescribed by registered medical practitioners after sealing them in a transparent envelope signed by a doctor posted at the Haji camp.