Over 2,500 Volunteers Provide Medical Support to Arbaeen Pilgrims on Najaf–Karbala Route

Over 2,500 Volunteers Provide Medical Support to Arbaeen Pilgrims on Najaf–Karbala Route
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More than 2,500 medical volunteers have been mobilized to provide healthcare services for pilgrims walking from Najaf to Karbala during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, with dozens of medical stations established along major routes to assist visitors throughout their journey.

The medical units, organized by the Najaf Health Directorate in cooperation with volunteer groups, are offering first aid, health checks and emergency assistance for pilgrims experiencing exhaustion, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, minor injuries and other health issues caused by the long-distance walk.

According to officials from the Najaf Health Directorate, the network includes 60 medical stations, with 20 stations operated by government health personnel and 40 managed by volunteer teams. The units have been positioned along key pilgrimage paths, including routes through Mishkhab, Manathira, Kufa and the Thawrat al-Ishreen road toward Khan al-Nus.

Rasl Fadhil Shukor, head of the Volunteer Work Division at the Najaf Health Directorate, said medical volunteers were selected after submitting requests to participate, with their needs assessed and deployments coordinated according to health regulations and emergency procedures.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, paramedics and healthcare graduates are working in shifts to ensure continuous medical coverage during the pilgrimage season.

Medical teams reported that the most frequent cases treated among pilgrims include fatigue from prolonged walking, dehydration, heat exhaustion, foot injuries, minor wounds, and fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Stations without doctors provide first aid and health guidance, while authorized medical teams are able to provide medicines in accordance with official health protocols.

The Najaf Volunteer Health Team has also deployed 222 additional volunteers, including medical professionals and healthcare students, to support pilgrims along the route. Team coordinator Murtadha Abbas said a section of the medical unit has been allocated specifically for women and emergency cases, with ambulances available to transfer patients requiring hospital treatment.

Alongside medical services, volunteer cultural teams are distributing awareness materials, assisting pilgrims and providing guidance, particularly for elderly visitors and children.