By joshua 
IMAN kicks against strike in health sector- says National President
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Islamic Medical Association Of Nigerian (IMAN) said it’s against strike in the nation health sector.
Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, the National President IMAN stated this at the National Executive Council Meeting of the association held at Auchi, Edo, on Saturday.
Oreagba said that the policy of IMAN does not support strike in the health sector, adding that during strike the Muslims health workers stayed back to rendered health service to patients.
According to him, thousands of patients died during health strike.
He added that as Muslims medical practitioners it beholds on members to save lives rather than allowing patients died during strike.
“Whenever there is strike, it is a problem for our patients.
” Once it is strike, whether Muslims or non Muslims it is the patients that will suffer.
“Thousands of patients died during a medical strike.
” So we must look into the welfare of our patients.
“If you decide not to work and you downturn and many patients died.
” And government now take care of your needs, who will bring back the lives of the patients.
“So we don’t support strike and IMAN as a body is against strike by medical health workers,”Oreagba said.
The IMAN national president, however, called on Muslims and non Muslims health workers to be professionalism in discharging their duties to save lives.
In a Lecture titled “Sickness As a Trial And Islamic Solution” Dr Muhammad Haruna, a consultant, family physician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, said sickness is trial by Allah, adding that those who are patience with him would be healed.
Haruna, who is a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State said Allah uses sickness to cleanse sins and purification.
“Sickness or illness is the condition where the body or mind is harmed because of an organ or part is unable to function as it usually does.
“In Islam, sickness is profoundly regarded as a trial or test, it is a means of spiritual growth and purification.
“Illness and and other trials are part of human experience and it is a display of Allah’s mercy.
“In Islam, illness and other forms of trials are viewed as divine tests, not punishments.
“Patience and reliance on Allah bring immense rewards,” Haruna said
Haruna who listed benefits of sickness to Muslims as forgiveness of sins, divine love of Allah, earning Allah’s pleasure,elevation of status and continuous reward.
“Trial in form of illness is inevitable as Allah has decreed that it will be part of human beings.
“The only way to combat this is through patience.
“May Allah grant us strength, patience, righteousness and the reward with Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen,”he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of IMAN, Edo State branch. Prof Tijani Oseni said the programme is to better the lives of human and those who cannot afford health.
Oseni disclosed that the association would conduct free medical care to people at a low cost.
He listed some of the free medical care to testing of blood pressure, sugar test, general consultant amongst others.
“This programme brings together all health professionals across the country who are part of IMAN.
“The idea is to come together and brainstorm on how to better the lives of human and our people who cannot afford healthcare services., ” Oseni said.
The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) is a professional and non-political organization that unites Muslim healthcare professionals and workers in Nigeria.
The association was established in 1989 aimed to foster unity among its members and provide selfless service to humanity guided by Islamic principles.
IMAN work to improve healthcare in Nigeria through various activities, including providing medical services, education, training, and advocacy.