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SINGAPORE : All is going well for Singaporeans making the haj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Despite the threat of H1N1 flu and the limited number of places available to pilgrims due to the strict quota system, stakeholders said this year's pilgrimage has been smooth.
A medical team - comprising four doctors and 14 nurses - from Haj Mission Singapore said all pilgrims are doing well, although many of them sought medical attention for ailments such as the common flu.
The team will move to Madinah to offer their services to Singaporean pilgrims who have started leaving Mecca since Wednesday.
No one has contracted the H1N1 flu virus so far.
Dr Iskandar Idris, head medical team, Haj Mission Singapore 2009, said: "Although the number of pilgrims that are sick are increasing, it is not beyond our expectation.
"This trend is a recurring pattern every year for haj. Most of them are suffering from respiratory ailments, in light of the respiratory infections, pneumonia, but it is all very manageable so far."
Only 680 people were given the go ahead for the pilgrimage - four days before the first batch of haj pilgrims were due to leave for Mecca.
It was only after an appeal was made to the Saudi Arabian government that another 1,500 applicants were given the green light to go for the pilgrimage.
The Haj Consul here said they were able to deal with the issue as the relevant agencies and the Saudi Embassy were able to settle visa applications for affected pilgrims quickly. - CNA/ms
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