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Staying well in Ramadan

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The month of Ramadan is hugely important. However, you should be careful not to put your health at risk. Here are some helpful tips. 

Observing Ramadan safely
It’s important that if you have a medical condition you speak with your GP or doctor about treatment options which don’t interfere with your fast. But remember that you may not need to fast if you are not fit – you can always make it up later.

What if I am referred for an urgent appointment?
If your doctor refers you to us for an urgent appointment – particularly if your doctor thinks you might have cancer, it’s really important you keep the appointment to get checked out. If you do have cancer, early diagnosis could save your life.

What if I’m already being treated?
It’s really important that you follow medical advice. You must keep chemotherapy or radiotherapy appointments, and it can be very dangerous to alter times of medication or to take drugs that require food on an empty stomach.

What if I feel I can’t attend the appointment?
If you really can’t attend the appointment, please contact us to let us know. This will help us to rearrange it quickly, and we can give your slot to someone else who needs it. Please call the contact telephone numbers on your appointment letter as early as you can.

Dr El Mileik, a consultant at our Trust advises that "fasting can be a problem for people with chronic health conditions or acute medical problems, which require regular medication, investigations and treatment. For example, if you require an urgent endoscopic procedure, you should undergo your procedure or investigation and then make up for that day by fasting after Eid.“

Sadaf Solangi, Muslim Chaplain highlights that “fasting is not obligatory for children or those whom fasting will cause their health to be badly affected because of being elderly, suffering from an illness, or needing to administer medication or treatment to safely maintain their health. This can include pregnant women and those breastfeeding.

“If you were unable to complete one or more fasts in Ramadan due to these reasons, Islam permits you to make up each missed fast when you are better and able after Ramadan has ended.

“I would advise those patients who have been referred for an urgent procedure to please seek advice from their doctor to discuss whether it is actually safe to delay or miss this procedure, especially as fasts missed due to a genuine reason can be made up later and still achieve the same rewards from Allah. Consult your Imam if you are concerned.“

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