Encourage your Muslim patients to plan ahead for a healthy Ramadan
Ramadan begins on the evening of Sunday 10 March and Muslim communities in Britain and around the world will soon be making plans to prepare for the month of fasting. Ramadan brings patients the opportunity to revisit routines and think about their health, as well as the wellbeing of others.
Over 500,000 Muslims call north east London home and it is important that we encourage them to plan ahead in order to enjoy a healthy and safe Ramadan.
This advice is particularly important for anyone who has diabetes, takes prescribed medicines or who needs a medical appointment during the holy month.
Diabetes advice
If any of your patients with diabetes want to fast during Ramadan, please discuss with them the safest way of doing so, or encourage them to speak to their diabetes nurse. Diabetes UK has lots of advice on fasting and managing diabetes during Ramadan, including tips on healthy eating and a factsheet in English, Arabic, Bengali and Urdu.
Advice on taking prescribed medicines
If a patient is taking prescribed medicines, they should continue taking them during Ramadan. Please check with them if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that they take them need to be changed.
Attending medical appointments
If a patient has a medical appointment booked during Ramadan, it is very important that they attend. Remind them that they can change the time of their appointment if they need to. The vast majority of Muslim scholars state an injectable vaccine does not invalidate a fast.
Advice on illness while fasting
If someone becomes ill while fasting, breaking their fast is permitted on account of avoiding harm. The patient’s local pharmacy can offer advice and some medicines, which can help them treat their condition at home. Pharmacists can also help people see the right person, if they need to see someone else. If they have a more serious illness, we are advising patients to contact their GP practice website or NHS 111 online for advice. If they cannot access the internet, they can call 111 or their GP practice directly.
Please remember: many groups are exempt from fasting on account of harm to their health – including people who are unwell with a physical or mental illness or have a poorly controlled long-term condition; people who are very frail and weak; those who lack mental capacity; and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding fearing harm to their child. People should speak to their imam if they are not sure, as there are alternatives to fasting every day in Ramadan.
Generally staying healthy
Ramadan is a great time to build up your self-control and give up smoking, so we are encouraging patients to speak to their GP or pharmacist if they are interested. There is also the NHS Smokefree website www.smokefree.nhs.uk/
Some other ways to encourage patients to stay well during Ramadan include: eating as healthily as possible when breaking their fast and avoiding sugary, fatty and processed foods; staying hydrated before and after fasting by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeinated drinks; and if they are able to, keeping active with some light exercise such as walking.
Ramadan Mubarak!
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