Introduction to the IMA

In the early 1970's, a few Muslim doctors, noting with concern the disparate health services under the Apartheid government of South Africa, embarked upon the establishment of the modest Sunday clinic at Braemar on the South Coast of Natal. This was to cater for the needs of a black rural community which had virtually no access to any form of health services. The initial name of the group was "Lajnatul Atibba" (Doctors Committee) and it served as the forerunner for the formation of the IMA in 1980.

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The aims and objectives of the IMA which were formulated in 1980 are listed below:

To promote a better understanding and appreciation of Islam and of Medicine within the framework of Islam.
To constantly remind and educate the Muslim health care professionals of the Islamic value, morality, etiquette and ethics and to apply these in the health care sector.
To promote professional and non-professional contact among Muslim health care professionals at all levels through activities such as meetings, dinners, seminars, guest speakers and conventions.
To seek affiliation to medical institutions through professional co-operation.
To co-operate with other organizations on matters of mutual interest.
To orientate health education with Islamic values and outlook in the application of patient care.
To promote research and publications in the field of Islamic medical history, prophetic medicine, Islamic medical ethics and Medicine in general from the Islamic viewpoint.
To be a mercy unto mankind in the Prophetic tradition by providing necessary assistance within our scope and capability and whatever needed in the form of clinics, relief work and rehabilitation.
To co-ordinate the relevant group and individual activities of Muslim health care professionals.
To have a central information bureau as a service to the members regarding employment opportunities, exchange programmes, scholarship and graduate and under-graduate training opportunities.
To establish libraries for the use of the members and others who may wish to use them.

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IMASA NEC BANKING DETAILS

Here are the banking details of NEC:

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Bank: First National Bank

Branch: Fordsburg

Branch code: 252505

Acct name: IMA

Acct no: 62000952061

IMA REGISTRATION AS

PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO)

IMA and TAX EXEMPTION

IMA is primarily a professional body that serves its members and also undertakes activities that benefit the poor and needy. For any Non Profit Organisation to take advantage of the tax incentives offered by government it has to formally apply for tax exemption with SARS to get a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status.

Being a professional body, IMA cannot be exempt from tax as a PBO. The rules relating to the tax exemption of professional bodies are different from those applicable to an NGO e.g. a welfare body. As these have not been passed by the Minister of Finance we have applied for IMA to become a PBO..

In order to get the PBO status IMA’s Constitution has to meet certain requirements, hence, the attached amendment.

Benefits Of IMA Becoming A Tax Exempt Body

IMA would save the following:

· 40 per cent Income Tax on any income given to it where that income was claimed by the giver as a tax deduction;

· 8 per cent Transfer Duty on properties bought by IMA to further its objectives;

· 20 per cent Donations Tax on any cash or property donated by IMA ;

· the monthly 1 per cent Skills Development Levy (SDL).

DONORS save:

· 20 per cent Donations Tax on any cash or property donated to IMA;

· A Testator saves 20 per cent Estate Duty on bequests to IMA.

· 10 per cent Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on property donated to IMA.

Republic of South Africa by the IMA of South Africa

The Islamic Medical association is a non-governmental organization (NGO) comprising Muslim health professionals. Over the last 25 years we have been actively involved in the development and provision of health care services to indigent populations in South Africa. We have also been actively involved in the provision of medical relief - in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world.

Having read with great interest the draft charter on the public and private sectors in South Africa we would like to offer some comments. We agree with the need for transformation of the health sector so as to develop a service that is of a high standard, equitable to all populations and race groups, accessible and appropriate to the needs of our country. We agree with the challenges facing the health care sector as presented in the charter. We however, would respectfully like to highlight some of our major concerns:

The important role of NGOs has not been mentioned in the charter. These organizations often act as a bridge between private and public sectors. The IMA and other organizations have done much work in providing clinical services in under-resourced communities. They should be assisted in infrastructure development, training of staff, procurement of equipment and medication at tender prices so that their contribution can be optimized. Financial assistance to these organizations should be made available to those organizations which display good governance.
A concerted effort, not limited to but involving the health sector, needs to be made to minimize systematic inefficiencies and unnecessary bureaucracy. Corruption must not be tolerated.
Structures should be put in place, that provide an enabling environment to facilitate joint public-private initiatives. This may include incentives for private sector involvement.
The process of transformation will be enhanced by the avoidance of unjustified and generalized negative criticism and over regulation of the private sector. Instead the Department of health should endeavour to engage the private sector and other sectors in a constructive way. This draft charter is an example of constructive engagement.
The pharmaceutical industry needs to be engaged by all concerned in an effort to decrease the high costs of medicines in this country.
Novel strategies to retain highly skilled professionals, especially nurses need to be developed. Health professionals need to be given incentives to remain in the areas of the system where they would be most valuable. Health care providers need to feel a sense of pride in the quality of the service they are allowed to deliver. They must be allowed to take ownership of this sector. Too often these undervalued ‘frontline’ workers are disempowered by a lack of resources.
Given the experiences to date with Black Economic Empowerment, we propose that the current processes governing BEE be reviewed such that the majority benefits rather than the elite few.

Finally, we as the IMA feel that we have already been playing an important role in the development of certain key aspects of health care delivery to disadvantaged sectors of our community. We have been previously acknowledged by government for contributing to delivery of primary health care to rural communities. We, therefore, look forward to being invited to contribute to the future development of this health charter as well as to the health care sector in general.

Yours sincerely

Dr Shoyab Wadee

Executive Secretary

DEVELOPMENT

The first IMA Convention was held from 14-15 March 1981 at the Natal Medical School and served as the forum for the official launch of the IMA. During the past 17 years, the IMA has grown to become a successful, dynamic and respected organization in South Africa. Its current membership stands at 1300 with 20 branches countrywide. The IMA of South Africa also played a pivotal role in bringing about the formation of the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) in December 1981.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Due to the commitment of its members, the IMA of South Africa continues to be a vital and relevant organization both locally and internationally. Its many activities include the running of primary health care clinics throughout South Africa, relief work within South Africa as well as in countries such as Mozambique, Afghanistan and Somalia, publications in general concerning Medicine and Islam, and on specific issues relating to medical ethics and the Islamic viewpoint and annual conventions to stimulate research and the pursuit of academic excellence.

CONCLUSION

The courage, conviction and vision of the founding members of the IMA of South Africa has seen the organization develop from a group of concerned health care workers to a well organized professional, non-governmental body providing health to disadvantaged communities, while at the same time actively involved in the propagation of Islam and the promotion of Islamic ethics amongst its members.

Revised on 2007/11/30