Managing Ramadan queries in COVID-19.

Abstract

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset for Muslims across the world. It is an important ritual in the lives of many, including those with chronic health conditions. Clinicians are frequently asked by patients for clinical advice and have little by way of guidance to inform their decision-making. Here we outline some practical tips for clinicians on how to counsel and manage Muslim patients who are fasting in Ramadan, with some consideration for the context of COVID-19. As one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, the fast of Ramadan concurs with the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by the majority Muslims across the globe.1 In the UK, nearly 3 million British Muslims refrain from food and drink between dawn and sunset, which in the summer months can be a period of up to 18 hours. Fasting is considered an obligatory ritual for all healthy adults, with exceptions given for certain groups, including those who are advised that they will come to harm from fasting owing to an acute illness or from complications related to an existing chronic condition.2 It is important to note that Muslims in Western societies are predominately from black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and there is evidence showing chronic conditions are poorly managed in this patient population.3 BAME communities may also have lower medication concordance due to societal barriers.4 COVID-19 is having a disproportionate effect on BAME communities in Western nations; the reasons for this …