Muslim health professionals tasked on national unity, ethical service

•IMAN Oyo unveils new leadership

THE Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Oyo State Chapter, has urged healthcare practitioners to deploy faith-based values in promoting unity, compassion, and selfless service within Nigeria’s health sector.

The charge formed the central focus of the association’s Annual General Meeting and handing-over ceremony held recently at the University College Hospital Central Mosque in Ibadan.

The event, which attracted Muslim healthcare professionals from diverse fields, provided a platform for leading medical figures to advocate a “unity of purpose” as a pathway to addressing the persistent challenges confronting healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Speaking at the gathering, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Fehintola Fatai Adewale, described healthcare as one of the noblest professions, noting that practitioners stand daily between pain and relief, sickness and healing, and despair and hope.

He urged members to see beyond their specialised identities as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory scientists, stressing that their foremost identity as Muslims carries a divine responsibility to foster unity and collective purpose.

Expanding on the theme, the guest lecturer, Dr. Najimdeen Raji, said true unity of purpose requires a shared vision and the willingness to sacrifice personal interests for collective advancement.

According to him, while healthcare professionals may differ in training and specialisation, their ultimate mission remains service to humanity for the pleasure of Allah.

Reflecting on the achievements of the outgoing administration, former chairman Dr. Taiwo Alatishe, disclosed that the cabinet inaugurated in September 2021 carried out several impactful initiatives, including medical and surgical outreaches offering free screenings, consultations, and cataract surgeries in communities such as Saki, Oyo, and Igboora.

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He also highlighted welfare and spiritual support programmes, including hospital visitations and Iftar assistance for students, while acknowledging challenges such as low member participation and inadequate funding.

The event also featured the formal dissolution of the outgoing council and the inauguration of a new executive led by Dr. Olajide Murtadha as chairman.

Chairman of the Shuurah Committee, Dr. Ganiyu Abideen, described the selection process as rigorous, noting that the committee succeeded in assembling a competent team despite widespread reluctance among members to assume leadership responsibilities.

Other members of the new executive council include Morzooq Morohunkeji Hameed as secretary, Alhaja Ganiyat Oluyedun as financial secretary, Olasupo Nafisat as treasurer, and Dr. Tawakalt Abdussalam as ameerah.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Olajide Murtadha commended the sacrifices of past leaders and charged the new executive council to uphold the principles of accountability and excellence in advancing the mission of IMAN in Oyo State.