REGARDING
DOCTORS:
*
Doctors should do their best to preserve and protect
the life of the patient (Hippocratic tradition).
*
The
Intention should be always pro-life and all actions
should reflect that.
*
Efforts
should be made to return the patient to good health.
*
Medical
treatment is a human right for every patient. The
best, most appropriate medical treatment should
be given to patients along with the best nursing
care.
*
Food
and fluid is a basic need for all people and is
the right of every patient. It is not allowed
to withdraw food and fluid any at time except
when the body is in the process of dying and food
and fluid can not be used by the body. Food and
fluid is a basic need not medical treatment.
*
No
doctor should "play GOD and decide who should
survive or who should die!" It is not for
the doctors to make judgements about the quality
of a patient’s life.
*
Safe,
effective pain killers can be used to alleviate
any suffering.
*
Children
or Adults with disabilities have EQUAL rights
to life and ethical medical treatment, like any
other patient.
*
It
is forbidden for any doctor to take any step to
hasten the death of the patient (active/passive
euthanasia and assisted suicide are forbidden
in Islam)
*
Doctors
should respect every patient as a human being,
as well as his/her religious wishes.
During the dying process, it may by right to withhold
medical treatment but palliative care, i.e. keeping
the patient comfortable and pain free, should
always be given.
REGARDING
PATIENTS:
*
To
look for the appropriate safe effective treatment,
because we are taught that for every disease there
is a cure.
*
GOD
Almighty is the real HEALER, doctors and medicine
are the necessary means for getting the healing!
*
The
Moment of death has been fixed only by the Creator
(natural death).
*
Medical
treatment allowed in Islam should be (Halal/permissible),
except in emergency when there is no substitute
or replacement.
*
Patience
and Tolerance of one's illness and suffering are
great Islamic virtues and are highly rewarded
by GOD. (Angels are surrounding the patient).
*
It
is forbidden to hasten your own death or to take
any suicidal step or to ask the doctor or any one
to end your life.
*
Living
Wills (death wills) are forbidden in Islam. However
it is a duty on every Muslim to write early and
in advance the Will with regards to inheritance.
*
Prayers
and Spiritual support are to be encouraged as
we believe they are effective in reducing suffering
and curing the illness.
*
Visiting
the sick patient is highly recommended and is
highly rewarded by GOD
*
Care
from the patient’s family, social support,
and hospice care are to be encouraged all the
times
Dr
A.Majid Katme(MBBCh,DPM)
Spokesman:
Islamic Medical Association/UK