Kwara Health Commissioner Warns Against Quackery, Highlights Role of Islamic Medicine in Modern Healthcare

The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminat Ahmed El-Imam, has stressed the need for strict adherence to regulations and professional guidelines in the establishment and management of healthcare centres across the state.

Speaking at the 1st Conference on Medicine in Islam, organised by Kinme Islamic Health Centre in Ilorin, Dr. El-Imam noted that the guidelines are designed to ensure compliance with professional standards in healthcare delivery. She warned that quackery poses a major threat to public health, as it undermines the system by causing poor treatment outcomes, increasing mortality rates, and eroding public confidence in legitimate healthcare providers.

The Commissioner urged the management of Kinme Islamic Health Centre to register with the appropriate authorities and engage only qualified healthcare personnel.

Dr. El-Imam also used the occasion to highlight the relevance of Islamic medicine in today’s healthcare system, describing it as a body of knowledge that bridges history, faith, science, and modern practice.

She pointed to the example of black seed oil, derived from Nigella sativa, which has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is referenced in prophetic traditions. While modern research has confirmed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, she advised that such remedies should be used cautiously and under medical supervision pending further large-scale studies.

The Health Commissioner further identified three enduring contributions of Islamic medicine to healthcare:

A Holistic Approach to Health: Islamic medicine integrates physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being, encouraging resilience and patient cooperation in treatment.

Preventive Health and Hygiene: Teachings on diet, hygiene, and avoidance of harmful substances align with modern strategies to reduce non-communicable diseases and prevent infections.

Contribution to Medical Knowledge: Islamic scholars such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina laid the foundation for many modern medical practices, with texts like The Canon of Medicine serving as standard references in Europe for centuries.

Dr. El-Imam emphasized that recognizing the heritage of Islamic medicine not only honors history but also enriches modern healthcare delivery.