To prevent dehydration and heat stroke, the Indonesian Sport Nutritionist Association (“ISNA”) recommends using the following formula to calculate each pilgrim’s fluid needs: the first 10 kg of bodily weight requires 1,000 ml of fluids; the next 10 kg bodily weight requires 500 ml; and each following kg of bodily weight requires 20 ml of fluids. Therefore, if a pilgrim weighs 70 kg, their fluid need is: 1,000 ml (for the first 10 kg) + 500 ml (for the next 10 kg) + (50 x 20 ml = 1,000 ml) for the remaining 50 kg. Therefore, their minimum total fluid requirement is 1,000 ml + 500 ml + 1,000 ml = 2,500 ml a day. If they drink from a 300 ml glass, they will need to down at least 8 glasses a day.
Other than drinking plain water, fluid needs can also be satisfied by consuming water-rich fruit, such as watermelon, papaya, citrus fruits, grapes, or melon, or by consuming fruit juice, coconut water, clear soups, and broth.
Wristbands and Telejemaah
3,000 out of the 100,051 Indonesian hajj pilgrim candidates are medically categorized as “high-risk”, as they are elderly and/or suffer from comorbidities. To support the performance of the hajj ritual, the Ministry of Health has deployed 776 officers (304 Hajj Ritual Mentors and 472 Hajj Health Officers). High-risk pilgrims are issued with a wristband/smart watch that routinely monitors their health.
“The wristband is connected with the Telejemaah app installed in the relevant pilgrim’s smartphone. Their health info is automatically recorded by the wristband using infrared rays, which sends the data automatically to the Telepetugas (Health Officer). If the pilgrim’s vital signs show dangerous changes, such as lowered oxygen saturation, the wristband will communicate it to the smartphone, which will immediately alert the nearest Health Officer, who will in turn provide the appropriate medical response,” dr. Budi said.