Consultant Nephrologist and Head of Dialysis Centre, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. AbdulWaasi Busari, has urged the federal government to subsidise the treatment of chronic diseases for the poor.
Dr. Busari in his presentation during the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) Quarterly Da’wah Workshop, noted that chronic but preventable diseases like cancer, kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes, among others are becoming common ailments in society.
He added that junk food or what is otherwise referred to as ‘fast food’ intake and family genes are some of the causes of these chronic diseases.
“A lot of patients die from stroke, heart failure, diabetes complications, heart attack, among others. Even younger individuals are becoming more affected.
“Unfortunately, because of our healthcare system and individual attitude, a lot of people die from these seemingly preventable diseases.
“With preventive strategies, we can reduce the number of people affected by these diseases,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Ridwan Jamiu enjoined Muslims to take care of their health as protection of life and well-being of the Muslim individual is encapsulated in the Shariah.
Imam Jamiu explained that against the misconception of the Shariah as stoning to death and cutting of hands, Shariah was meant to achieve five basic objectives – to protect faith/deen; life; intellect; property; and family.
He stated under the protection of life, an individual must be conscious of his health and well-being, must observe cleanliness and purification at all times as well as food intake, adding that nothing is better than having good health.
He said one of the recommended practices in Islam is to ensure good and healthy living, maintain good hygiene practices, adding that cleanliness is half of faith.
He said: “Health is perhaps the greatest asset one can count on after faith. With health, hope is always renewed and our aspirations in life and afterlife will be pursued.
“The greatest obstacle to good living is illness. Illness could daunt our hope and truncate our pursuit. This is why the very objective of the Shari’ah is to promote the well-being of the people, which lies in the protection of faith, life, intellect, property and the family.”
SOURCE: The Nation