The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) on Wednesday commenced orientation of the Federal Medical Committee and Federal Medical Team for the 2020 Christian pilgrimage in later this year.
Addressing the combined team of medical experts who would offer medical services to the Pilgrims, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam acknowledged the challenges of COVID-19 and how it has made it difficult to think of travelling outside the country, but, for courage and love for Christ, the Commission would not stop Pilgrims from going to Israel and Holy places.
Pam stressed that the medical team were carefully selected based of their track records, noting that the orientation was absolutely necessary since they would be in the forefront of providing medical services amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The NCPC boss said: “This orientation cannot be held in a more difficult time than now considering the global COVID-19 pandemic. To even think of organizing pilgrimage is frightening.
“But that we are here today to prepare for the medical needs of our Pilgrims is fulfilling and it attests to the love of Christ.”
“This underscores the importance of of the orientation exercise for you who are in the forefront in providing medical care for our people and fighting the coronavirus in the environment of the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Stephen Baba Panya admonished the medical team not only to provide medical needs, but spiritual needs to the Pilgrims, stating that Jesus Christ was the best medical expert so far.
The clergy regretted that some Pilgrims see trips to the Holy Land as tourism rather than spiritual rejuvenation.
In a 30 minutes message to the participants, he emphasised:
“Medical personnel such as Doctors, Nurses and other medical attendants should not only offer medicals physically, but spiritually while in Holy lands.”
