IMAN opposes health sector strike, says National President

The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) says the association kicks against strike in the nation’s health sector.

IMAN’s National President, Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, stated this at the association’s National Executive Council meeting held at Auchi, Edo, on Saturday.

Oreagba said that the policy of IMAN did not support strike in the health sector, adding that during strike the Muslims health workers stayed back to render health services to patients.

According to him, thousands of patients die during health strike.

He added that as Muslims medical practitioners, it beheld on members to save lives, rather than allowing patients to died during strike.

“Whenever there is strike, it is a problem for our patients. Once it is strike, whether Muslims or non Muslims, it is the patients that will suffer.

“Thousands of patients die during medical strike. So, we must look into the welfare of our patients.

“If you decide not to work and you downturn and many patients die; then, the government now takes care of your needs; who will bring back the lives of the patients?

“Therefore, we do not support strike and IMAN as a body is against strike by medical health workers,” Oreagba said.

The IMAN boss, however, called on both Muslims and non-Muslims health workers to be professional in discharging their duties to save lives.

Dr Muhammad Haruna, a Consultant Family Physician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, said sickness was trial by Allah, adding that those, who were patient with Him would be healed.

Haruna had presented a lecture titled: “Sickness As a Trial And Islamic Solution”.

The consultant, who is also a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, said Allah used sickness to cleanse sins and purification.

“Sickness or illness is a condition where the body or mind is harmed because of an organ or part is unable to function as it usually does.

“In Islam, sickness is profoundly regarded as a trial or test; it is a means of spiritual growth and purification.

“Illness and and other trials are part of human experience and it is a display of Allah’s mercy.

“In Islam, illness and other forms of trials are viewed as divine tests, not punishments. Patience and reliance on Allah bring immense rewards,” he said

Haruna listed benefits of sickness to Muslims as forgiveness of sins, divine love of Allah, earning Allah’s pleasure, elevation of status and continuous reward.

“Trial in form of illness is inevitable as Allah has decreed that it will be part of human beings.

“The only way to combat this is through patience.

“May Allah grant us strength, patience, righteousness and reward us with Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen,” he prayed.

Earlier, the Chairman of IMAN, Edo State branch, Prof Tijjani Oseni, said the programme was to better the lives of human and those, who could not afford health.

Oseni disclosed that the association would conduct free medical care to people at a low cost.

He listed some of the free medical care to include; testing of blood pressure, sugar test, and general consultancy among others.

“This programme brings together all health professionals across the country, who are part of IMAN.

“The idea is to come together and brainstorm on how to better the lives of human beings and our people who cannot afford healthcare services, ” Oseni said.

Supreme news reports that IMAN is a professional and non-political organisation that unites Muslim healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

The association, established in 1989, aims to foster unity among its members and provides selfless service to humanity guided by Islamic principles.

IMAN works to improve healthcare in Nigeria through various activities, including; providing medical services, education, training, and advocacy.