The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has offered treatment to over 2,000 indigent residents across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of Kwara.

The two-day free medical and surgical outreach is part of activities lined up to mark the association’s 27th national conference in the state.

Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach, chairman of the local organising committee, Prof. Lukman AbdulRahman, explained that the projection was for 2,000 medical outreach and 300 surgical services.

“At the moment, the crowd is far more than this, and we need to review our strategy so that we can efficiently manage the clients that are around,” he said.

Mr AbdulRahman said there were about 200 volunteers, including medical and other allied healthcare workers, as well as support services and administration.

“The team comprises doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, medical record officers and other healthcare professionals,” he said.

He further explained that the outreach covered medical consultations, eye care and cataract surgery.

According to him, the initiative also covers cervical cancer screening, family planning, laboratory investigations and other specialist services.

The surgeon noted that preliminary screening had been conducted across the three senatorial districts of the state through cottage and general hospitals, with close to 100 surgical cases identified for treatment.

He added that the organisers were determined to provide comprehensive care at first contact, while linking patients needing further treatment to appropriate healthcare facilities near their communities.

Mr 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 who are in 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, Prof. Habeeb Omokanye, secretary of the LOC, said the conference would also 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 toward the humanitarian healthcare services offered to indigent residents in the form of cash, consumables and drugs.

The secretary explained that the formal opening ceremony of the conference would hold on August 27.

According to him, the conference will include scientific paper presentations, symposia, and the association’s annual general meeting (AGM), during which new national executives will be elected.

“About 1,000 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.

Yusuf Jamil, a consultant chemical pathologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), sensitised patients to the importance of managing their health.

According to him, from an Islamic perspective, health is a trust and blessing bestowed on humans, and it must be managed well.

“Health is a trust, mercy and favour from Allah. Some people are born into sickness and deformity. Allah created health to be a trust and a lesson.

“We don’t care about it until we lose it. We must guard our health and preserve it.

“Being sick is inevitable, and we must seek medical attention and restore it,” he said.

 (NAN)