Stakeholders call for ethical reset in healthcare
By Mustafa Abubakar
Stakeholders at the just concluded 27th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) have called for a stronger ethical foundation, compassion, professional competence and conscience in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
They made the call last Thursday (August 27,2026) at the opening ceremony of the Conference held at the Auditorium of the University of Ilorin.
The five-day Conference, which began on August 24 and ended on August 29, was themed “Compassion, Competence and Conscience: Integrating Islamic Values in Modern Medical Practice.”
Delivering the keynote address, the immediate past Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, described the challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system as symptoms requiring honest diagnosis and collective action.
He identified fear among patients, migration of skilled healthcare professionals and the growing influence of money on patient care as major challenges affecting the profession. He said the deeper problem was a loss of ihsān, or excellence, when healthcare ceases to be regarded as a trust from Allah and becomes merely a transaction.
Dr Oloriegbe prescribed compassion, competence and conscience as essential values for restoring public trust in healthcare. He stressed that patients must be treated with dignity regardless of their financial circumstances.
He also acknowledged systemic challenges, including inadequate financing, poor infrastructure, shortages of equipment and manpower. Reflecting on the history of Islamic medicine, he cited renowned physicians such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina and urged Muslim healthcare professionals to preserve the tradition of combining professional excellence with ethics and compassion.
Dr Oloriegbe further shared the experience of an indigent female patient whose treatment, despite her inability to pay, reinforced his conviction that healthcare professionals should regard patients as trusts from Allah rather than financial transactions.
In his message, the immediate past Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, said technological advancement in medicine must be matched by humanity, ethical responsibility and respect for patients’ dignity.
Prof. Emeritus Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, noted the advances recorded in modern medicine but stressed that technology alone could not guarantee humane healthcare.
He said compassion without competence could be dangerous, competence without compassion could become dehumanising, while both without conscience could become instruments of exploitation and injustice.
He urged medical professionals to continuously improve their knowledge and skills while maintaining strong ethical standards. He also called on IMAN to serve as an intellectual platform where medical science, Islamic jurisprudence, ethics and public policy could interact in addressing emerging medical issues.
He further advocated stronger mentorship for young Muslim healthcare professionals in clinical practice, character, leadership, scholarship and service.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof.Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, appreciated IMAN for choosing the University of Ilorin as the host of the Conference and acknowledged the support and contributions of stakeholders towards its success. He commended the Association for bringing together medical professionals, academics, scholars and other stakeholders to deliberate on contemporary healthcare challenges and ethical medical practice.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Lateef Folorunso Oladimeji, appreciated the organisers and stakeholders for their support towards the successful hosting of the Conference.
Prof. Oladimeji commended IMAN for its commitment to professional development and ethical healthcare practice, stressing the importance of collaboration among institutions, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders in addressing challenges in the health sector.
The Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, highlighted the investments of his Administration in healthcare, including the transformation of the former General Hospital, Ilorin, into the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), acquisition of modern diagnostic equipment, including an MRI machine and 160, slice CT scanner, and continued investment in primary healthcare infrastructure.
He disclosed that Kwara State emerged as the Best Performing State in the North-Central Zone in the 2025 PHC Leadership Challenge, describing the recognition as evidence of the government’s commitment to accessible and quality healthcare.
The Governor also highlighted interventions in maternal and child health, capacity building and the recruitment of 150 nurses. She said 10,374 people benefited from the state’s free medico-surgical outreach programme in 2025, while the 2026 edition is ongoing.
He commended IMAN for its free medical and surgical outreach at KWASUTH on August 22 and 23, describing it as compassion translated into practical service.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of IMAN, Prof. Ibrahim Adekunle Oreagba, said the Conference provided an opportunity for professionals to reaffirm the commitment of the Association to healing, ethical practice and service to humanity.
Prof. Oreagba highlighted IMAN’s collaboration with the ASAD Group on a multispecialty hospital in Kaduna, the Save Dignity Grant, partnership with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University on substance abuse, digitalisation of membership and the IMAN-FIMA Lifesavers Programme.
He also mentioned IMAN’s involvement in the Nigeria Interfaith Coalition Against HIV/AIDS, publication of the IMAN Medical Journal, participation in FIMA leadership and expansion of zakat-based healthcare support for indigent patients.
He called for greater investment in a nationwide IMAN health network, Islamic bioethics, quality healthcare for the poor and leadership development for young Muslim healthcare professionals.
The Kwara State Amir of IMAN, Dr Sulyman Ibrahim Kuranga, said Kwara had hosted the annual Conference of the Association three times, in 1999, 2009 and 2026.
He disclosed that IMAN Kwara had expanded to more than eight branches across hospitals and healthcare institutions, including branches at KWASUTH, the Kwara State University College of Medicine and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Lukman Abdur-Rahman, disclosed that no fewer than 856 delegates registered for the conference.
He said that the free medical and surgical outreach attended to over 1,500 beneficiaries, with 70 surgeries and 60 ophthalmic surgeries performed within two days.
Prof. Abdur-Rahman added that the scientific programme featured 74 abstracts and symposia on healthcare chaplaincy and faith-based counselling, women’s health, insecurity and medico-legal solutions, and geriatric healthcare in Nigeria.
The Conference was attended by the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Emir of Shonga, among other royal fathers.
The event also featured goodwill messages from dignitaries and stakeholders, who appreciated the support and contributions of individuals and institutions towards the success of the Conference.
Awards were equally presented to deserving members and mentors in recognition of their contributions, dedication and mentorship to the Association and its members.
