TEHRAN –The 4th international congress on “Health in Arbaeen” will be held in Tehran from July 3 to 5.

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Shia Muslims, and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Each year, a huge crowd of people flocks to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rituals.

This year some five million Iranian pilgrims are estimated to attend the Arbaeen trek.

“Providing medical services to improve the health of pilgrims is one of the important concerns of the health sector and this congress,” ILNA quoted Abdolreza Pazouki, Iran University of Medical Science President, as saying.

A total of 3,500 national and international participants will attend the 4th congress. Hosting the event, the Iraqis comprise the majority of foreign attendees to enhance services to pilgrims.

The congress will focus on the following scientific areas including accidents and hazards; artificial intelligence; traditional medicine; processions; environmental health; nursing; relief and rescue.

It will also cover rehabilitation; forensic medicine; mental health; nutrition; cultural issues; pharmaceuticals; medical tools; as well as mawkibs (voluntary stations to serve the pilgrims).

Moreover, some new topics such as dentistry and oral hygiene will be discussed.

So far, 350 articles in Persian and English have been submitted in the above-mentioned fields. A total of 40 scientific workshops encompassing 200 lectures are scheduled to be held during the congress, along with 35 international speakers from 5 countries – Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Lebanon – who will deliver talks.

On the sidelines of the congress, a health-related exhibition will be set up to showcase a variety of items ranging from  Persian medicine to rehabilitation products.

Pazouki went on to say that the first educational and research magazine with the title of mass gatherings in the world, which is published with the support of a Dutch publisher, will be unveiled during the 4th congress.

MT/MG