* We need greater investment in nationwide health network – Outgoing president Oreagba
By Mustafa Abubakar, ILORIN
The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria has called on Muslim medical professionals and other stakeholders to translate the values of compassion, competence and conscience into practical realities in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The call was made at the association’s 27th National Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held at the Main Auditorium of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The conference, which ended on August 29, was themed, “Compassion, Competence and Conscience: Integrating Islamic Values in Modern Medical Practice.”
The event brought together medical professionals, academics, Islamic scholars, government representatives, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to deliberate on contemporary challenges in healthcare and the ethical responsibilities of medical practitioners.
Oloriegbe decries commercialisation of healthcare, urges ethical practice
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority, Senator Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, identified patients’ fear, migration of skilled healthcare professionals and the growing influence of money on patient care as some of the challenges undermining the profession.
Sen. Oloriegbe said the challenges facing the health sector went beyond inadequate infrastructure and funding, stressing that there was also a moral and professional dimension when healthcare was treated as a commercial transaction rather than a trust.
He said the loss of ihsān, or excellence, had contributed to the erosion of trust between patients and healthcare providers.
He described compassion, competence and conscience as essential “medicines” for restoring confidence in the profession, stressing that compassion must not replace competence and professional competence must remain anchored in moral responsibility.
The keynote speaker urged healthcare professionals to treat patients with dignity irrespective of their social or financial circumstances.
He also called for appropriate government intervention to address inadequate financing, poor infrastructure and shortages of equipment and personnel.
Oloriegbe, who referred to the contributions of Muslim physicians such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina, said the Islamic medical tradition historically combined scientific knowledge, professional excellence, ethics and compassion.
He urged contemporary Muslim healthcare professionals to preserve the legacy by seeing patients as human beings deserving care and dignity rather than sources of financial gain.
Oloyede urges Muslim doctors to uphold ethics amid technological advances
The Chairman of the opening ceremony, Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, warned that technological advancement alone could not guarantee humane healthcare.
Prof. Oloyede, who is the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said scientific and technological advances must be accompanied by humanity, ethical responsibility and respect for human dignity.
He said while science and technology could determine what could be done medically, they did not automatically answer what ought to be done or the moral responsibility attached to medical decisions.
According to him, compassion without competence could be dangerous, competence without compassion could become dehumanising, while both without conscience could lead to exploitation, injustice and abuse.
He urged Muslim healthcare professionals to regard their work as an amānah, or trust, and continually improve their knowledge and skills while maintaining high ethical standards, particularly when there was no external supervision.
Prof. Oloyede also challenged IMAN to develop into an intellectual platform where medical science, Islamic jurisprudence, ethics and public policy could interact in addressing emerging healthcare challenges.
He called for greater mentorship of younger Muslim healthcare professionals in clinical knowledge, character, leadership, scholarship and service.
Egbewole, Oladimeji seek collaboration
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, represented by Prof Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiya, appreciated IMAN for choosing the university as the venue for the conference.
Prof. Etudaiya, who delivered Egbewole’s goodwill message, commended the association for bringing together healthcare professionals, academics, Islamic scholars and other stakeholders to deliberate on healthcare challenges and professional ethics.
The Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Professor Lateef Folorunsho Oladimeji, also commended IMAN for its commitment to professional development and ethical healthcare practice.
Prof. Oladimeji stressed the importance of collaboration among universities, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders in addressing challenges in the health sector and improving healthcare delivery.
Kwara upgrades healthcare, recruits 150 nurses – Commissioner
The Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam.
Dr. El-Imam highlighted the transformation of the former General Hospital, Ilorin, into the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, as well as the acquisition of an MRI machine and a 160-slice CT scanner.
She said the state had also continued to invest in primary healthcare infrastructure, maternal and child health, capacity building and recruitment of healthcare workers, including 150 nurses.
According to her, Kwara emerged as the Best Performing State in the North-Central Zone in the 2025 PHC Leadership Challenge.
She disclosed that 10,374 people benefited from the state’s free medico-surgical outreach programme in 2025, while the 2026 edition was ongoing.
Dr. El-Imam commended IMAN for its free medical and surgical outreach at KWASUTH on August 22 and 23, describing it as an example of compassion translated into practical service.
Oreagba highlights IMAN’s healthcare, humanitarian achievements
The outgoing National President of IMAN, Prof Ibrahim Adekunle Oreagba, said the conference provided an opportunity for the association to reaffirm its commitment to healing, ethical practice and service to humanity.
Prof. Oreagba highlighted the association’s collaboration with the ASAD Group on the establishment of a multispecialty hospital in Kaduna and the Save Dignity Grant project.
He also mentioned IMAN’s partnership with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University on substance-abuse issues, digitalisation of IMAN membership and the IMAN-FIMA Lifesavers Programme.
Other initiatives he highlighted included IMAN’s involvement in the Nigeria Interfaith Coalition Against HIV/AIDS, publication of the IMAN Medical Journal, participation in the leadership of the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations and expansion of zakat-based healthcare support for indigent patients.
Prof. Oreagba called for greater investment in a nationwide IMAN health network, Islamic bioethics, access to quality healthcare for poor and vulnerable Nigerians and leadership development for young Muslim healthcare professionals.
1,500 benefit from outreach
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof Lukman O. Abdur-Rahman, said more than 1,500 people benefited from the conference’s free medical and surgical outreach.
He said 70 surgeries and 60 ophthalmic surgeries were carried out within two days.
Prof. Abdur-Rahman said 856 delegates had registered for the conference as of August 18, including more than 700 early-bird registrations.
He added that the scientific programme featured 74 abstracts.
The Kwara State Amir of IMAN, Dr Sulyman Ibrahim Kuranga, said the state had hosted the association’s annual conference three times — in 1999, 2009 and 2026.
He said IMAN Kwara had expanded to more than eight branches across hospitals and healthcare institutions, including newly inaugurated branches at KWASUTH, the Kwara State University College of Medicine and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba.
The conference also attracted traditional rulers, including the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, and the Emir of Shonga, as well as other dignitaries.
Awards were also presented to deserving members and mentors in recognition of their contributions to the association.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.