Muslims urged not to miss medical appointments during Ramadan

Barts and The London NHS Trust is encouraging Muslims to look after their health and attend scheduled medical appointments during the month of Ramadan, says Medical News Today, UK.

Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting, and practised by people who are Muslims, according to TimeOut.

Nuala Close, Lead Cancer Nurse has expressed concern that some Muslim patients may inadvertently miss their cancer screening or other urgent medical appointment during their Ramadan period.

The Trust’s Muslim chaplain Jusna Begum said: “Islamic law exempts the elderly, the ill, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers from Ramadan’s requirements.

“Patients undergoing treatment for many different diseases maybe required to eat or drink prior to talking their medication or undergo investigations.

It is essential that our Muslim patients follow the strict medication guidance in the knowledge that they are not breaking their religious beliefs.

I ask all Muslims to make their health a priority and attend any scheduled appointments,” The Medical News Today, UK reports.

According to Nuala Close, she said they noticed a spike in missed appointments during Ramadan over the past couple of years.

They would like to address to ensure their patients are seen urgently when they are being referred by their GP’s.

Though she admits that this is an issue not unique to their Trust but to other areas in the UK with a high Muslim population.

She said: “Some of our Muslim patients may not realise the importance of attending their appointment, particularly those who have been referred to us from their GP with a suspected cancer diagnosis. It is important that these patients are seen within two weeks of their referral to the Trust.

“Patients need to understand they are taking an unnecessary risk with their health if they miss they appointment, as to wait the end of Ramadan could have serious consequences on their health.

“Screening tests help save lives by detecting cancers early when treatment can be more effective. Putting off clinic appointment for several weeks can really make the difference to the outcome for patients who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer.”

A representative from The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We urge all fellow Muslim brothers and sisters not to make their own decisions to alter doses or timings of medications without the guidance from their doctors or pharmacists through out the holy month of Ramadan and beyond,

“We also urge local health practitioners to liaise with mosques and Islamic centres to educate the public on this important information during Ramadan fasting.”