Health Ministry “forbids” Ramadhan fasting for 10 types of sick patients

The Ministry of health, population and hospital reform has issued an urgent instruction containing a list of diseases enjoining sick patients to abstain from fasting in the upcoming month of fasting of Ramadhan in order to avert dangerous complications for their health.

This was contained in guidelines sent by the Ministry to health managers of various hospitals, clinics and health-care centers across the national territory under the motto: “Ramadhan and Health” and posted on the frontpage of the Ministry’s website.

This instruction is the first of the kind issued by the health Ministry ahead of the holy month of fasting of Ramadhan which coincides this year with the beginning of the summer season starting in late June.

Fasting during the summer season is marked by an extreme heat and can exceed 16 hours during the whole day.

This fasting during these harsh conditions could pose a threat to some people notably the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic diseases (including renal and heart ailments, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and that’s why the health ministry has decided to take such preventive measures in order to face up to any untoward contingency.