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By Muinat Usman
Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, IMAN, has called for the establishment of healthcare chaplaincy and faith-sensitive counselling services across Nigerian health institutions to integrate patients’ spiritual needs into clinical care.
The association made the call in a communique issued at the end of its 27th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Ilorin.
The communique, read by the then National President, Professor Ibrahim Oreagba, also urged the expansion of Ibadah-friendly healthcare initiatives to enable hospitals support patients in fulfilling their religious obligations while maintaining evidence-based medical standards and respecting religious diversity.
IMAN described insecurity as both a public health and national development challenge, calling for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals, mental health practitioners, Islamic scholars and government agencies to address violence, trauma and substance abuse.
It advocated greater attention to the healthcare needs of older adults through improved policies, professional training, rehabilitation services, caregiver support and dignified end-of-life care for Nigeria’s growing elderly population.
The communique disclosed that one thousand, eight hundred and eleven vulnerable residents benefited from IMAN’s community medical outreach ahead of the conference through free consultations and surgeries.
Beneficiaries included one hundred and two general surgical operations, sixty-seven eye surgeries, as well as hundreds of reproductive health and eye care services.
The conference also featured specialised training on trauma-informed care, addiction prevention, youth leadership and ethical Halal business management for healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs.
The AGM ended with Dr. Muhammad Kaigama emerging as IMAN’s National President for the 2026 to 2029 tenure, with the association pledging to translate its resolutions into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
