NHS England has released advice to all GPs, dentists, and primary care workers on fasting during Ramadan.
The advice is to help clinicians distribute advice about how to fast during Ramadan safely, as many Muslims are motivated to fast but don’t have the right guidance or do not feel comfortable bringing the topic up with their GPs.
One of the five pillars of Islam, all able-bodied Muslims around the world will mark the holy month by fasting, introspection and prayer. Fasting includes not eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset.
The elderly, children, women who are pregnant, and those who are unwell do not have to fast during Ramadan. Women who are menstruating are also exempt but must make up the days missed after the holy month is over.
Ramadan lasts for 29 or thirty days and ends with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, which is likely to fall on Sunday, 1 May but it is best to contact your Imam for advice on this.
In March the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, held a meeting with the Vice-President of the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), Salman Waqar, and Dr Mohammed Jiva to discuss how the department and the NHS can better support Muslim communities to fast safely.
The BIMA and Dr Jiva shared their ideas on how the Department for Health and Social Care and the NHS can help get the message out on how to fast safely.
They explained how there are people who are motivated to fast but don’t have the right guidance to enable safe fasting or don’t feel confident to speak to GPs.
Following the meeting, NHS England distributed their weekly primary care bulletin which includes advice for GPs on treating patients who are observing the fast during Ramadan.
The NHS Muslim network has also developed a guide with specific advice to support managers and colleagues across the NHS to be aware of key advice relating to Muslim colleagues who may be fasting during the month of Ramadan.
In addition, the Covid-19 vaccination Ramadan toolkit has been updated. It includes advice, resources, and links for further information to help build confidence, reduce barriers to access, and support uptake of Covid-19 vaccination among the Muslim community during the holy month.
