The Chief Missioner, Nasrul-Lahi-l-Faith Society (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has advised religious leaders to take adequate care of their health to avoid untimely death.
Onike, in a statement made available on Thursday in Asaba, said that position of NASFAT on healthy living was inspired by the scriptural.
According to him, NASFAT, as a society that focuses on the welfare of its members, does not toy with the issues of health of all its volunteers and workers.
Onike said: “And so, it is promoting a policy that makes health one of its cardinal objectives.
“In 2019, the current executive council, trying to build on the importance attached to health by successive administration, launched the HELD policy (Health, Education, Livelihood and Da’wah).
“The society registered its workers, some volunteers and their family members in the Health Management Organisation (HMO) of the Lagos State Government under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Similarly, the society through its social welfare agency, the NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqah (NAZAS), enlisted some non-NASFAT Imams and five members of their immediate families on the health insurance scheme.
“The agency had also footed the medical bills of many Nigerians, regardless of religion, race or tribe, including spending over N12 million to support healthcare provision for needy Muslims in 2020.
“The society encourages its branches to set up hospital and primary healthcare centres, which has given birth to hospital and health centres in Abidjan, Cote Divoire, and Osogbo and Iree in Osun State, Nigeria amongst others.”
The NASFAT chief missioner said that the society was mobilising for the construction of a Mother and Child Hospital in Lagos State.
He said: “I decided to make all these explanations to prove that, NASFAT, as a society is a convert, that needs no preaching to when it comes to the importance of the health of religious leaders.
“Apart from the HMO services and ensuring Imams take annual vacation to rest and recharge, the society has also set up a monthly health talk for all members, touching on critical topics, including mental wellness.” (NAN)
