Diabetic Muslims in the Netherlands are putting their health at risk by ignoring medical advice against taking part in Ramzan.
Ramzan can cause serious health problems to those suffering from diabetes a condition where the body releases too much sugar into the blood.
“We have 1,400 patients. Half are immigrants, of which 60 per cent are Moroccan and the rest are from Turkey and Surinam”, said the unit’s head Eelco Meesters. There is a sharp increase in the number of patients in the week leading up to the start of Ramzan, he explained.
“They come to change their course of medication or to ask for advice,” added Fatima Malki, a nurse at the hospital.
However the majority of patients are advised against fasting during Ramzan. “We explain to them that there are verses of the Koran which allow very sick people to be excused from fasting,” said Malki.