The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has taken a firm position against strikes within the country’s healthcare system. At the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Auchi, Edo State, National President Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba articulated the organization’s policy opposing healthcare worker strikes.

Patient Lives Take Priority Over Labor Disputes

Prof. Oreagba emphasized that IMAN’s stance stems from their commitment to patient welfare, noting that Muslim healthcare workers continue providing medical services even during strike actions. He highlighted the devastating impact of healthcare strikes, stating that thousands of patients lose their lives during these work stoppages.

The IMAN president questioned the moral implications of allowing patients to die during strikes, arguing that even if workers’ demands are eventually met, the lost lives cannot be restored. He stressed that as Muslim medical practitioners, their primary obligation is preserving life rather than participating in actions that could result in patient deaths.

Call for Professional Commitment Across Religious Lines

Beyond addressing Muslim healthcare workers, Prof. Oreagba appealed to all medical professionals, regardless of their religious background, to maintain their professional responsibilities and prioritize life-saving duties over labor disputes.

Islamic Perspective on Illness and Healing

Dr. Muhammad Haruna, a Consultant Family Physician from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, delivered a theological presentation on illness from an Islamic viewpoint. His lecture, “Sickness As a Trial And Islamic Solution,” explored how illness is understood within Islamic teachings as a divine test rather than punishment.

Dr. Haruna, who also serves as a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, explained that Islam views sickness as a means of spiritual purification and growth. He outlined several spiritual benefits that Muslims believe come from enduring illness with patience, including forgiveness of sins, divine favor, elevated spiritual status, and continuous divine rewards.

Free Healthcare Initiative Announced

Prof. Tijjani Oseni, chairman of IMAN’s Edo State branch, announced the association’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare services to underserved populations. The initiative will offer various free medical services, including blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening, and general medical consultations.

About IMAN’s Mission and History

The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, founded in 1989, operates as a non-political professional organization that brings together Muslim healthcare practitioners across the country. The association focuses on promoting unity among its members while delivering humanitarian healthcare services guided by Islamic principles. IMAN actively works to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system through medical service provision, educational programs, professional training, and healthcare advocacy efforts.

Original Article:

The Guardian Nigeria. (2025, July 21). IMAN opposes health sector strike. https://guardian.ng/news/iman-opposes-health-sector-strike/