A total of 81 Bangladeshi pilgrims were taken to hospitals in Madina Monday with food poisoning after eating a meal at an unlicensed caterer. They received medical treatment at King Fahd, Uhud and Al-Ansar hospitals, and samples of the food they had eaten were sent for analysis. Dr. Abdul Hameed Muhammad Shahat, Medical Director of King Fahd Hospital in Madina, said that around midnight on Monday, the emergency unit received 26 pilgrims, most of whom were elderly. They were suffering from abdominal pains associated with diarrhea and vomiting. The pilgrims were all treated and discharged, except for one who had to be hospitalized. Dr. Ali Karbooji, Medical Director of Uhud Hospital, said that the hospital received 19 Bangladeshi pilgrims who were admitted to the hospital with food poisoning. “Most of them were discharged while some were kept at the hospital until they were stable.” Dr. Fareed Al-Nuzha, Medical Director of Al-Ansar Hospital, said that 36 pilgrims were admitted and treated. Dr. Abdullah Al-Taifi, Director of Health Affairs in Madina, visited the pilgrims at King Fahd Hospital and urged doctors to provide the best medical services for them and all other pilgrims visiting the city and the Prophet's Mosque. __
