KARACHI: As Ramazan is approaching, health experts and religious scholars on Saturday suggested the people with diabetes to see their physicians before fasting and get their dose of medicine and insulin adjusted and learn about precautionary measures.

They said that over 91 per cent Muslims around the globe observed fasting in previous Ramazan despite Covid-19 pandemic and despite suffering from various chronic illnesses.

They called for more scientific research on diabetes and Ramazan to help people observe fasting safely while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 7th International Diabetes and Ramadan Conference 2021 held online.

‘One in three people with diabetes don’t get proper education about how they can fast safely’

“There are some extreme views that fasting is very harmful for the diabetes patients, and there are some who say fasting should be practiced (even) in worst (health) conditions, but I think medical practitioners will be in a better position to explain to patients as to how they should fast safely,” leading Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani said while addressing the conference.

The two-day online conference organised by the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) Karachi in collaboration with International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Ramazan and Hajj Study Group and Diabetes and Ramazan (DAR) International Alliance was addressed by top health experts and researchers from different countries.

The current president as well as the president-elect of IDF Prof Andrew Boulton and Prof Akhtar Hussain were key speakers while director of BIDE Prof Abdul Basit, chairman of Organising Committee of the conference Prof Yakoob Ahmedani, Prof IDF MENA region Prof Jemal Belkhadir, chairperson of DAR International Alliance Dr M. Hassanein and Dr S. Haq also spoke.

Mufti Usmani maintained that millions of Muslims suffer from different chronic illnesses especially diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other health issues, but they also want to observe fasting in Ramazan and want to know medical facts and expert opinion whether they can fast or not.

“It is very welcoming that top health experts from different countries of the world would discuss issues like safe fasting for people with different health conditions, especially in the Covid-19 era,” he added.

Prof Andrew Boulton said: “Ramazan this is year is more important as there is Covid-19 pandemic and I hope this meeting will discuss this issue too and answer all questions in the minds of people with diabetes about their diet, exercise and management of their medicines.”

Expert from Norway Prof Akhter Hussain said studies show that over 80pc people with diabetes like to fast while a study conducted in 2010 revealed that around 95pc of people with type 2 diabetes fasted for 15 days while 65pc diabetics fasted for the whole month.

“Unfortunately, one in three people with diabetes don’t get proper education about how they can fast safely.”

Prof Yakoob Ahmedani said people with diabetes and other comorbidities should visit their physician at least six to eight weeks before Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2021