On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is urging all Qatar residents to safeguard their health by exercising restraints from food and drinks, be more cautious while driving and showing more compassion towards the needy, especially by donating blood or making a pledge to donate an organ.
Hamad General Hospital’s (HGH) Medical Director, Dr. Yousuf Khalid Al Maslamani encourages residents, especially the Muslim faithful, who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan, to take great care of their health by not eating excessively during Suhoor (early morning meal) and Iftar (sunset meal).
“On behalf of HMC, I would like to wish a blessed and healthy Ramadan to all of the people in Qatar. Ramadan is a time when families gather, friends host Iftars, and meals are shared but it is also a time of the year when hundreds of people visit HGH’s Emergency Department as a result of overeating,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
He stressed that practicing self-restraint is an integral aspect of this holy month, as it is a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one’s self on the worship of God. Ramadan is a special time of intense devotion and reflection –when Muslims fast during the day and perform Taraweeh prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Quran over the course of the month.
“Ramadan is an occasionof giving zakat and demonstrating compassion, kindness and generosity to others. I would like to inspire everyone to help save lives by giving blood and consider signing up for organ donation –truly the ultimate gift of oneself,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
“As we perform our duties of fasting and prayer, we must urge each other to have patience and practice safe driving at all times. This means slowing down on the roads and allowing enough time for travel to avoid unnecessary fatalities and injuries,” he noted.
Dr. Al Maslamani pointed out that fasting is a concept shared by many faiths as a way to bring people closer to God and to those who cannot take their next meal for granted. “These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common. Ramadan is also a time to be mindful of our health and the health of our families and communities.”
“Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: ‘Fast to be healthy’. Today, physicians acknowledge the many benefits of fasting that ensure good health and a sound body and mind. It is therefore important for all of us to be mindful of fasting safely during this holy month of Ramadan. This means ensuring we remain hydrated, after fasting, eat in moderation, and seek medical guidance prior to adjusting medication doses and timings during Ramadan.”
“By changing routines, Muslims and non-Muslims alike have an opportunity to establish healthier lifestyle habits, particularly with regards to diet and smoking cessation,” added Dr. Al Maslamani.
Throughout Ramadan, HMC will be sharing with the public important health information on how they can stay healthy and safe while observing the holy month. More beneficial information can be found on HMC’s corporate website
www.hamad.qa. 