IMASA aims to better the healthcare industry for all Photo IMASA
Johannesburg – The theme for this year’s 41st Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) Convention was “Reboot, Refocus, and Renew”. It served as a clarion call to medical professionals to reinvigorate their commitment to healthcare.
The convention, hosted by IMASA, serves as a vital platform for the Muslim medical fraternity to convene, discuss, and learn about the latest developments in the field of medicine, as well as to collaborate on humanitarian initiatives. It also stands as a testament to the unity and strength of Muslim healthcare professionals.
A gathering of brilliant Muslim minds
The convention saw an impressive turnout, with attendees hailing from Durban, Cape Town, and various regions across the nation. This event was not solely for doctors but also included allied healthcare professionals, Aalims, and Aalimas. It was truly a unique and phenomenal convention, said Dr. Faheema Ismail, member of the 41st IMASA convention committee, dentist, businesswoman and philanthropist.
“It was all Muslim delegates and you got to interact with professors, Aalima, Aalimas, doctors in your fraternity and everybody was on one platform. This was a platform for all Muslim healthcare professionals to come together, allied healthcare professionals, Aalims and Aalimas. People could interact with everyone regarding advice and also learning about the future in healthcare. It was a lot to learn.”
This gathering of exceptional Muslim intellectuals aligns perfectly with the convention’s overarching theme. It aimed to inspire attendees, to infuse new perspectives and innovative methodologies into their daily routines. This collective endeavour was made achievable through the collaboration of diverse healthcare professionals, Aalims, and Aalimas, all converging to exchange their insights and expertise. The primary objective of the convention was to revitalise its participants, ensuring they go back to their respective roles with a revitalised sense of passion and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity.
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IMASA’s ongoing contributions
IMASA is not only a platform for professional development but also a driving force behind numerous humanitarian initiatives. Notably, IMASA operates a cataract clinic that has performed over 10,000 cataract procedures for underprivileged communities. However, their work is far from complete. IMASA is desperate for more healthcare workers to join so that they can offer a wider range of services to underprivileged communities.
“As Muslim healthcare professionals, we are so privileged that we have an obligation and it’s an honour to actually give back to our societies … There used to be services [ dental and free optometry services for the elderly]. At the moment there are selected areas that still have those but it’s never enough. I launched the We Care for Adult Health campaign in Africa and there’s so much work that needs to be done. We also had AWQAF SA that came on board and gave us a talk at the dental conference. They want to actually implement one of these services.”
There is a lot of potential to help vulnerable communities but there is a need for healthcare professionals to come in and give their time.
The convention’s impact
The IMASA Convention left a lasting impression on Ismail as well as other healthcare professionals. It emphasised the importance of staying at the forefront of healthcare innovation and education. The convention’s tremendous success, marked by a significant increase in attendance, underscores the commitment of Muslim healthcare professionals to their calling.
“It was a weekend where we just rebooted, refocused and renewed our intentions as medical healthcare professionals especially as Muslim healthcare professionals. We shouldn’t take a back seat. We should actually be in the forefront and start educating, empowering and inspiring others. We hope that more professionals come on board and I was really amazed with the dental turnout. Normally, we only have maybe 30 or 40 delegates but this year it was double the amount and people were so eager to come.”
The IMASA Convention showcased the strength of unity among healthcare professionals and provided a platform for learning, collaboration, and sharing of insights. As IMASA continues its vital work, it is hoped that more professionals will join the cause, contributing their skills and compassion to create a brighter future for healthcare in South Africa.
