By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, (IMAN) has offered treatment to over 2000 indigents across the 16 Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2-day, free medical and surgical outreach was organised as part of activities marking the association’s 27th National Conference holding in Kwara.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the outreach, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Prof. Lukman AbdulRahman, explained that the projection is for 2000 medical outreach and 300 surgical services.
“At the moment the crowd is far more than this and we need to really review our strategy so that we can efficiently manage the clients that are around,” he said.
AbdulRahman pointed out that there are about 200 volunteers cutting across medical and other allied healthcare workers, including support services and administration.
“The team comprises doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, medical record officers and other healthcare professionals,” he said.
The surgeon explained that the outreach covers medical consultations, eye care and cataract surgery, cervical cancer screening, family planning, laboratory investigations and other specialist services.
According to him, preliminary screening had been conducted across the three senatorial districts of Kwara through cottage and general hospitals, with close to 100 surgical cases identified for treatment.
He said the organisers were determined to provide comprehensive care at first contact while linking patients requiring further treatment to appropriate healthcare facilities near their communities.
AbdulRahman identified hypertension and diabetes among conditions being screened for, adding that laboratory investigations would also cover hepatitis and other health parameters.
He stressed that the outreach was open to everyone irrespective of religious affiliation, noting that healthcare should be provided without discrimination.
The LOC chairman described IMAN as the umbrella body for all healthcare workers and all Muslims that are into healthcare services.
“The main motive of the organisation is bringing all of us together to ensure that we are conscious of the demands of our religion and considering life to be sacred and appropriately administering Ibadah-friendly (Islamic act of worship) hospital practices,” he said.
Also speaking, the LOC Secretary for the 27th National Conference of IMAN, Prof. Habeeb Omokanye stated that the conference would feature workshops on psycho-trauma, student leadership, addiction prevention, Islamic cooperative development and the Ibadah-friendly hospital initiative.
He commended philanthropists and partners who contributed towards the humanitarian healthcare services offered to indigents in form of cash, consumables and drugs.
Similarly, Omokanye explained that formal opening ceremony would hold on Aug. 27, followed by scientific paper presentations, symposia and the association’s Annual General Meeting, during which new national executives would be elected.
“About 1000 delegates, including medical and nursing students, doctors and other allied health professionals from across the country, are expected to participate in the conference,” he said.
A Consultant Chemical Pathologist of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr Yusuf Jamil sensitised the patient on importance of managing health.
He said that from the Islamic perspective, health is a trust and blessing bestowed on humans, which he warned must be managed well.
“Health is a trust, mercy and favour from Allah. Some people are born into sickness and deformed. Allah create health to be a trust and a lesson.
“We don’t care about it untill we loose it. We must guard our health and preserve it. Being sick is inevitable and we must seek for medical attention and restore it back,” he advised.