Helping the UnderprivilegedDisabledElderly

RADIO PROGRAMMES
Medical file radio programmes are aired once a week on Channel Islam International (CII), Radio Islam International and Al Ansaar. During Ramadaan we present daily health tips and weekly live shows on Radio Al Ansaar. These radio shows are coordinated by Dr Farouk Haffejee and Zeenath Khan. A recent call was made within the greater IMA membership for more presenters .The call was received well and we now have many more presenters.

CME PROGRAMMES
Members from all disciplines are invited to plan CME events. CME programmes are held on a regular basis with a variety of topics. There has been a tremendous increase in participation nationally as these are being presented on the virtual platforms. CPD points allocated.

CATARACT PROGRAMME
Our cataract programme is held in collaboration with Dr Farouk Moosa of the Durban Eye and Laser Clinic and Into the Light Foundation. This is an ongoing project and an average of 5-6 cataract procedures are performed twice a month. Annually numbers of procedures are increased during Mandela month and during Eyecare awareness month.

AWARENESS MONTH
In commemoration of World Sight Day on the 14th October and eyecare awareness month 18 September – 21 October, all patients who attended the IMA optom clinics were given free spectacles. On World Sight Day all clinics held eyecare awareness programmes, screenings, eye tests and all patients were given free reading glasses. A total of 100 pairs of spectacles were dispensed free of charge in celebration of eyecare awareness month.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
We have gone on an active drive to recruit members. We are focusing on allied health disciplines to encourage them to become members and motivate them to run programmes for their benefit that can be facilitated by the IMASA. 

PIETERMARITZBURG BRANCH
Durban Branch has been instrumental in reviving the Pietermaritzburg Branch. We have received positive input from the branch and key role players have been identified and they attend Durban Branch meetings. They are now in the process of creating a database of members. Members from Pietermaritzburg branch have been added to the Durban Branch whatsapp groups to increase mutual sharing of information and collaboration.

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES AND CAREERS
The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMA) Durban Branch is in the process of putting together an information brochure that can be made available to the general public, schools, parents, teachers and matriculants with career guidance for the various disciplines in the health sciences and what it entails. Once completed it will be distributed to the schools, IMA website and sent to the radio stations for programming to help educate the public on the various allied health science disciplines and the choices available. With the above project we are  on a strong campaign to build the IMA membership in the allied health disciplines and find champions that can drive the various disciplines by coming up with programmes, CME’s and for them to offer their services to the IMA Clinics.

SCHOOLS PROGRAMMES
We are looking at having education campaigns for Muslim schools for grades 10, 11 and 12 to present talks at assemblies etc. and create social media videos on health science careers and help put these careers on the radars of our community. We are developing this project and it will be implemented once the schools are back to normal which will probably be in 2022. We are working with two students, one is a pharmacist / medical student and the other is a master’s psychology student, to develop this programme for education in schools and guidance etc.

FACE MASK PROJECT
Our reusable Face Mask Project for the Covid pandemic was run as a National Mask Project. This project was held in conjunction with the Caring Sisters Network. A total of 60 030 masks were manufactured and were distributed. Durban’s reach for this projected extended to Estcourt.

PPE CAMPAIGN
The Durban Branch partnered with Caring Sisters Network for the PPE campaign for health workers. Funds were raised by both CSN and IMA Durban Branch. Much needed PPE (3 ply masks, N95 masks, face shields, disposable gowns, shoe covers and gloves) were distributed to hospitals and clinics in and around KZN. PPE was also sent to the Eastern Cape for their hospitals. To date this project has distributed over 5000 face shields, 5000 3-ply masks, 2000 4-ply masks, 1000 disposable gowns, 5000 gloves and shoe covers to front line health care workers.

AL QUDS DELEGATION
We hosted a delegation from the Al Quds University on 25th January 2021. The delegation comprised of the President of the university, the admin director, financial aid department director and two medical students. The purpose of the of the delegation was to provide feedback on the progress of the South African Al Quds Bursary Scheme.

LONG SERVICE AWARD
In August 2021 IMA-Durban branch honoured Ms Shirin Cassim for her 30 years of invaluable commitment, dedication, and service to the IMASA. Ms Cassim and her family together with all her co-workers were treated to a high tea. Ms Shirin Cassim was honoured with a long service award and a gift. core members of the Durban branch.

Services provided

Covid19 Screening, Vital Sign Screening, Group Health Education, Cereal or sandwiches, Primary Health Care, Referrals to Neighbouring Hospitals, Free Health Services to Muslim Dormitories and Madrassa Scholars, a Dermatology Clinic, Optometry Clinic, Dental Services being prepared for next year, Fire Control, Emergency Evacuation and OH&S Programs for staff and Monthly Staff Wellness.

Other empowerment services.: 1. Gogo’s club where sewing, knitting and baking is taught- once a week to the elderly

2. Youth empowerment club twice a month

3. Adherence club providing education on HIV and AIDS, other diseases and common problems

4. A dignity program providing sanitary towels to disadvantaged learners at neighbouring school.

5. Assistance by counsellors to obtain ID documents and grants

6. Provision of blanket in the winter

7. Free HCT

8. Placing trained care givers in homes through our agent.

9. Inservice and continuing education for professional nurses at clinics.

Home Oxygen Campaign

The onset of the Covid pandemic saw hospitals being inundated with admissions to such an extent that patients were being turned away due to lack of space. Oxygen supply became a priority. The Durban Branch went on an extensive fund raising drive in collaboration with Caring Sisters Network. We procured oxygen concentrators and hired them to patients with recommendations from doctors. To date (October 2021) we have assisted 350 patients with concentrators. This project extends to patients who require home oxygenation due to other respiratory conditions and not just Covid 19 patients. This is an on-going project that continues to benefit the public.

AAK Covid Reception and Receiving Unit

During the second wave of the pandemic in December, Durban was at its peak with covid positive cases. ICU’s were full, hospitals beds were in demand and ambulances were queuing outside hospitals.

Muslims for Humanity (MFH) in collaboration with the Natal Memon Jamaat (NMJ), Caring Sisters Network (CSN), IMA Durban and other organisations successfully setup a covid care, receiving and reception unit within 8 hrs at the Ahmed Al Kadi hospital. All 3 tents were fully equipped with 36 beds, drips and oxygen concentrators. Assistance from health care workers and volunteers  was overwhelming.

The unit successfully filled the gap for a month for covid positive patients who needed medical attention and oxygen without overnight hospitalisation.

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