Helping the UnderprivilegedDisabledElderly
Imasa Cape Town - Alwaagah Project
The Islamic Medical Association (IMA) partnered with the Al-Waagah Islamic Institute for the Deaf in Cape Town in order to make the seemingly impossible dream of Umrah a reality.
A number of volunteers have worked unselfishly and raised enough funds for the group of more than 50 hearing impaired to undertake this life-changing journey. The Hajj and Umrah organization Khidmatul Awaam facilitated a package that was very affordable and allowed a number of paying volunteers to also accompany and assist the group. The group departed on 2 February 2019 and spent a week each in the Holy cities of Madinah and Makkah. The Deen Channel, under Faizal Sayed, committed to covering the tour from inception and sent regular updates from the Hijaz. Deen Channel was instrumental in raising awareness of the trip and contributed to the successful raising of funds. The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Radio 786 also forwarded their support, amongst other organizations. The IMA was involved in preparing the group from a medical point of view. All the required vaccinations such a yellow fever and meningitis was contributed by the IMA. A vaccine day followed on the 9th December 2018 where IMA volunteers, counselled, inoculated and prepared the required documentation for the prospective travellers. Some of the group needed individual consultations and this was arranged with an interpreter at hand.
The offensive word ‘dumb’ is often used for the speech impaired and it was quite revealing to the IMA volunteers that the only ‘dumb’ people around were the ignorant lay people who were ‘deaf’ to the wonderful attributes that many of the travellers possessed. Medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy were attended to and a number of ladies raised concerns about menstruation issues, and these were dealt with as well. The group consisted of members ranging from those who are profoundly deaf to the mildly hearing impaired. A number of them understand sign language and it is heartening to know that interpreters were on the journey as well.
IMASA Dialysis Renal Dialysis Programme Western Cape
The Islamic Medical Association (IMA) partnered with the Al-Waagah Islamic Institute for the Deaf in Cape Town in order to make the seemingly impossible dream of Umrah a reality.
A number of volunteers have worked unselfishly and raised enough funds for the group of more than 50 hearing impaired to undertake this life-changing journey. The Hajj and Umrah organization Khidmatul Awaam facilitated a package that was very affordable and allowed a number of paying volunteers to also accompany and assist the group. The group departed on 2 February 2019 and spent a week each in the Holy cities of Madinah and Makkah. The Deen Channel, under Faizal Sayed, committed to covering the tour from inception and sent regular updates from the Hijaz. Deen Channel was instrumental in raising awareness of the trip and contributed to the successful raising of funds. The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Radio 786 also forwarded their support, amongst other organizations. The IMA was involved in preparing the group from a medical point of view. All the required vaccinations such a yellow fever and meningitis was contributed by the IMA. A vaccine day followed on the 9th December 2018 where IMA volunteers, counselled, inoculated and prepared the required documentation for the prospective travellers. Some of the group needed individual consultations and this was arranged with an interpreter at hand.
The offensive word ‘dumb’ is often used for the speech impaired and it was quite revealing to the IMA volunteers that the only ‘dumb’ people around were the ignorant lay people who were ‘deaf’ to the wonderful attributes that many of the travellers possessed. Medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy were attended to and a number of ladies raised concerns about menstruation issues, and these were dealt with as well. The group consisted of members ranging from those who are profoundly deaf to the mildly hearing impaired. A number of them understand sign language and it is heartening to know that interpreters were on the journey as well.
Gender Based Violence Series
GBV transcends Age, Race, Culture, Religion, Education and Financial Status. 1 in 4 women in SA has experienced physical violence at some point in her life. A woman is killed by her Intimate Partner every 6hrs. More recent estimates show that it may be closer to every 3hrs. More than half of Women murdered in SA are killed by their intimate partner. These are frightening statistics!!
IMA Western Cape embarked on an initiative of conscientizing the community about the scourge of GBV. We partnered with Radio 786 to host a series of talks expounding on the magnitude and impact of GBV. The series was very well received, and we hope that it helped even just one person out in the community to know, that being abused is never ok.
The series was broadcasted live every Wednesday evening, 17:00-18:00 and on Radio 786’s You Tube Channel under Enough the GBV Conversation. Listeners were encouraged to send whatsapp messages anonymously so that they could interact with our team of experts which included Legal experts, Shelters services, psychologists, emergency medicine doctors, pharmacists, trauma counsellors, self defense instructors and survivors.
Radio Programmes
We have a regular weekly slot on Radio 786 where healthcare information is made available to the community. Listeners are afforded the opportunity to interact with our healthcare professionals telephonically to have their questions answered.
Topics range from common coughs and colds to skin disorders, healthy eating and living, prophetic medicine, diabetic management, eye care, anxiety and stress etc. these programmes have proved to be of great benefit to our community Alhamdulillah. Listenership is around 250 000.
Diabetes Awareness
As Ramadaan was approaching in June 2015, many diabetic Muslims were grappling with the question of whether they should fastor not.
The IMA’s approach of getting the DIABETIC PATIENT, religious scholars and healthcare professionals into DIALOGUE, proved extremely fruitful. The Health Awareness workshop, hosted by Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Islamic Medical Association (IMA) and Eli Lilly, focussed on how diabetes should be managed when fasting, the benefits and challenges of fasting, and additional religious or medical questions that would assist the community during Ramadaan.
About 1000 people attended this event.
Breast Cancer Awareness Programme (Pink Hijaab Day)
IMA in collaboration with Voice of the Cape conducted a screening and awareness programme which kicked off in 2015 and has been running annually with great success Alhamdulillah.
The IMA [Cape Town Branch] was privileged to collaborate in presenting a short medical talk and providing manual breast examinations by female GP’s and Nursing staff. About 700 ladies usually attends these sessions. The risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer are explained to the audience.
The aim of the breast cancer awareness programme is to empower women to take charge of their health. Knowing their breast, being able to identify changes, understanding how early detection could improve the quality of life and ultimately save lives.
Abnormalities found during the screening sessions are referred for further investigation to Breast clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital should the patient not have medical aid.
10KM Big Walk
More than 20 000 walkers usually participated in this annual event which raises funds for Red Cross Children’s Hospital et al. This is the 3rd biggest event for Cape Town, after Cape Marathon and Argus Cycle Tour. Registration takes place for three days prior to the event and the IMA has an exhibition stand at the venue during this time where health screening is conducted and health related advices are offered to participants by GP’s, Nurses, Dieticians, Medical Students.
The walk itself is staffed by close to 60 volunteers ranging from emergency physicians, general practitioners, ICU and general nurses, physiotherapists and massage therapists. Mild weather is preferred to ensure no major calamites occur, which could be difficult during the hot weather conditions. At times close to 200 patients needs assessment, with minimal cases needing hospitalisation, Alhamdulillah.
The organisers continually praises the members of the IMA, for unselfishly going out of their way to ensure that the walkers’ health and wellbeing is in the safest and most competent of healing and caring hands. May these types of partnerships continue and flourish, inshaa’Allah.
Get in Touch
- 021 762 1414
- capetown@imasa.org.za