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Health Guidelines for Hajj

 

                                                                                                                                                                           Text Box:       Swine Flu is here in full force although our people in the Health Department reassure us that there is no outbreak, and not to panic. It certainly has the potential to put millions to bed. How far are we from obtaining vaccines?  The World Health Organisation (WHO) informs us: "It takes approximately five to six months for the first supplies of approved vaccine to become available once a new strain of influenza virus with pandemic potential is identified and isolated. These months are needed because the process of producing a new vaccine involves many sequential steps, and each of these steps requires a certain amount of time to complete." In the meantime the important thing to do is to stock up on vitamins, avoid large crowds and step up hygiene. On our Services webpage we elaborate on WHO's advice. How do schools respond ? In many of our schools teachers equip their learners with the necessary info on the symptoms and how to respond if they suspect that they have contracted the virus. Some schools advise their learners that they need to treat their flu like a normal flu and take their medication for the whole week. Their doctor will recommend further diagnoses if necessary. Parents are already taking precautions and send their children to school with surgical masks...and who can blame them ? The winter is still going to be with us for a few months, so let us build up our immune systems and stay out of harms way! The community has been issued with a call centre number for further information: 0860 142 142 . Please check the following links: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Pages/Swineflulatest.aspx http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_pregnancy_20090731/en/index.html http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/communique/communique.htm   Text Box:       Swine Flu is here in full force although our people in the Health Department reassure us that there is no outbreak, and not to panic. It certainly has the potential to put millions to bed. How far are we from obtaining vaccines?  The World Health Organisation (WHO) informs us: "It takes approximately five to six months for the first supplies of approved vaccine to become available once a new strain of influenza virus with pandemic potential is identified and isolated. These months are needed because the process of producing a new vaccine involves many sequential steps, and each of these steps requires a certain amount of time to complete." In the meantime the important thing to do is to stock up on vitamins, avoid large crowds and step up hygiene. On our Services webpage we elaborate on WHO's advice. How do schools respond ? In many of our schools teachers equip their learners with the necessary info on the symptoms and how to respond if they suspect that they have contracted the virus. Some schools advise their learners that they need to treat their flu like a normal flu and take their medication for the whole week. Their doctor will recommend further diagnoses if necessary. Parents are already taking precautions and send their children to school with surgical masks...and who can blame them ? The winter is still going to be with us for a few months, so let us build up our immune systems and stay out of harms way! The community has been issued with a call centre number for further information: 0860 142 142 . Please check the following links: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Pages/Swineflulatest.aspx http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_pregnancy_20090731/en/index.html http://www.nicd.ac.za/pubs/communique/communique.htm  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: BREAST-FEEDING IN ISLAM Dr. Ihsan Dogramaci, TURKEY It is only recently that modern scientific research has brought to light the paramount importance of breastfeeding to the health of the child. Islam has known and emphasized this fact for some 1400 years. As one who has devoted his life to child health, this seemed a fitting topic for me to speak on at this conference. Decline in BreastFeeding (Philippines) 1950 (Urban Poor) (Elite)                 1978 During my training in pediatrics in the United States some 40 years ago, a number of leading pediatricians were doubting the superiority of breast milk over "more scientifically" prepared, and I am saying "morescientifically" in quotations, formula. These formulae were designed to meet the needs, sometimes very special, of the individual newborn. An example of such a special instance was the nutritional need of a prematurely born or low birthweight baby requiring more protein than a full-term baby of normal weight. As we know, the protein content in cow's milk is three to four times higher than in human milk, and therefore in such instances formulae prepared from cow's milk were presumed to meet the baby's needs better. In the United States at that time, when discharging their patients from the obstetric wards, it was routine for the doctors to prescribe a formula to be given to the baby. In the case of poor families, however, or where there was norefrigeration, breastfeeding was acceptable. The convenience for the mothers of not breasfeeding was considered an additional advantage, especially in industrialized countries where women are often used in the labor force. In the 1940s, more than three-quarters of the babies were already being bottlefed before leaving the maternity ward and when breastfeeding was instituted the duration was usually for 2-3 months. By 5-6 months of age no more than 5% of babies were still receiving mother's milk. These figures reflect the general population, and among the better educated the incidence was far less. The trend towards artificial feeding spread to some of the developing countries, too. As an example (figure 1 ), in the Philippines in 1950 some 90% of babies were breastfeeding, while in the year 1978 the percentage dropped to 66 among the urban poor population. In the same country in the same year, not more than 27% of the mothers in the elite brackets of society were breastfeeding their babies1. To underestimate the benefits of breastfeeding is in contradiction to the teachings of Islam, where breastfeeding is a must for all mothers who can do so and weaning should be at about two years of age. Yesterday at the inaugural session I quoted two verses in this connection from the Holy Quran. Now I am going to add some more. The verse from Al-Ahqaf is interpreted as follows: WE HAVE ENJOINED MAN TO SHOW KINDNESS TO HIS PARENTS. WITH MUCH PAIN HIS MOTHER BEARS HIM, AND WITH MUCH PAIN SHE BRINGS HIM INTO THE WORL.D. HE IS BORN AND WEANED IN THIRTY MONTHS. The verse from El-Baqharah tells us: MOTHERS SHALL SUCKLE THEIR CHILDREN FOR TWO WHOLE YEARS; (THAT IS) FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO COMPLETE THE SUCKLING. THE DUTY OF FEEDING AND CLOTHING NURSING MOTHERS IN A SEEMLY MANNER IS UPON THE FATHER OF THE CHILD. The English of the Luqman verse is: WE ENJOINED MAN TO SHOW KINDNESS TO HIS PARENTS, FOR WITH MUCH PAIN HIS MOTHER BEARS HIM AND HE IS NOT WEANED BEFORE HE IS TWO YEARS OF AGE. Read the FULL ARTICLE: click on this line  

Text Box:   Hay fever: How to ease the sneezing Hay fever affects a quarter of the British population, yet few of us understand what causes it. Camilla Pemberton reports on the latest research, the best treatments – and the prospects for a cure Tuesday, 12 May 2009 What causes it? Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen, which affects one in five people in the UK. When airborne pollen particles enter the nose, throat and upper respiratory passages, they stimulate cells to produce histamines, which then produce the symptoms associated with hay fever such as itchy eyes and a running nose. Sufferers are most affected during the summer months when the pollen count – the amount of pollen in the atmosphere – is highest, but the severity of symptoms varies from person to person. Lindsey McManus of Allergy UK says: “People tend to think of hay fever as a mild allergy, but when symptoms are severe, sufferers can feel very miserable for a large chunk of the year.” When does it strike? Different types of pollen peak throughout the year, from as early as January until as late as September. Grass pollen production typically starts in May, while silver birch trees flower in March, nettles in August and fungal spores in late summer and autumn. The most common cause of hay fever is grass pollen, affecting approximately 90 per cent of sufferers – but 25 per cent of sufferers are sensitive to birch pollen, and other irritants include pollen from mugwort, oil seed rape and chrysanthemums. Sufferers may be allergic to more than one type of pollen.“ The time that your symptoms start is a good indication of which pollen you are allergic to,” says McManus. A low or moderate pollen count means mild or no symptoms for all but the most acute allergies, whereas a high pollen count means all sufferers are likely to experience a reaction. It is a useful guide for hay fever sufferers who want to plan their day accordingly, but it’s not just outside where symptoms are acute. Pollen particles can stay active in carpets for up to three months. What are the symptoms? Symptoms are caused by the inflammation of membranes that line the inside of the nose, throat and eyes. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the allergy but include a ... READ FURTHER  /  DOWNLOAD  (click)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

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Disposing of used tissues promptly and carefully.

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Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.

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Cleaning hard surfaces (eg kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

You can also prepare now and in the build-up to a possible pandemic by:

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Confirming a network of "flu friends" – friends and relatives who could help you if you fall ill. They could collect medicines and other supplies for you so you don’t have to leave home and possibly spread the virus.
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Having a stock of food and other supplies available at home that will last for  two weeks, in case you and your family are ill.

I have flu-like symptoms - what should I do?

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Stay at home and rest.

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Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing aspirin.

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Drink plenty of fluids.

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Phone  your GP  if you have recently travelled to Mexico or another affected area or if you develop complications such as shortness of breath.
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Before you call, check your symptoms: phone 0860 142 142

People with symptoms and others at risk will be assessed by their GP. If antivirals are required, the GP will probably contact the local health protection unit, which is co-ordinating the distribution of antivirals.

Ref. http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Pages/Swineflulatest.aspx

 

FIMA Wins Prestiges Humanitarian Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBC Health Series: excellent

informative articles to explore:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DICTIONARY OF HEALTHCARE TOPICS:  BBC has a useful and easy-to-explore online library of medical notes. Choose a topic in the A - Z classificcation index, e.g. epilepsy. The explanations/descriptions read like a news bulletin and are easy to follow. It provides further links for more comprehensive information on any illness/condition/etc. By arrangement with BBC  IMASA  obtained permission to use this link on our website: click: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/default.stm

IMASA COMMUNITY SERVICE

Background

Health Service
  • Formed in 1975 by a group of concerned healthcare workers - The Lajnatul Atibba (Doctors committee).

  • First Clinic: As-salaam Braemar - Natal South coast.

  • Objectives: To fulfill our Amaanat (Trust) by serving the community. It is every Muslim's duty to serve the needy, poor, destitute and underprivileged.

Mobile clinic

IMA Clinic activities
  • Primary Health Care.
  • Symptomatic Care.
  • Emergency Medical Relief.
  • Health Education.
  • Dawah.
  • Feeding Programme.  

Mobile clinic

Disease Profile
  • Infectious diseases
  • Malnutrition
  • Tuberculosis
  • Skin diseases
  • Chronic ailments e.g. hypertension and diabetes
  • Genito-urinary diseases
  • Psychosomatic disorders

Clinic

Target Population

Legacy of the past. 
Poor/Needy/Destitute/Underprivileged.
Poor socioeconomic status.

  • Sanitation

  • Electricity

  • Overcrowding

  • Unemployment

  • Informal settlements

Inaccessibility to health care. 
Little or no service at all.

Areas of Operation

Kwazulu-Natal 
Gauteng 
Western Cape

 

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Updated on 02-01-2010