Minaret at the East London Mosque. Photo: diamond geezer @ flickr

Observant Muslims should not stop taking prescribed medication during the fast of Ramadan and should get medical advice before altering drug regimes. That is the urgent message from Muslim community leaders in Tower Hamlets who are working with the local NHS to highlight health issues surrounding fasting, in preparation for Ramadan.

Faith In Health, a project run by the East London Mosque in cooperation with the health service, yesterday delivered a day of training to imams and other spiritual leaders, focusing on the importance of combining health consciousness with religious observance.

During the month of Ramadan, observant Muslims refrain from consuming food and drink during daylight hours. Children, pregnant women and those in feeble physical condition are traditionally exempt from fasting.

But doctors are concerned that Muslims undergoing treatment for serious conditions may fail to take their medication correctly for fear of breaking the fast, or miss important medical appointments during the month.

Nuala Close, lead cancer nurse at Barts and The London NHS Trust, said: “This is an extremely important and busy time of the year for Muslims and we realised that many were cancelling vital medical appointments for cancer and other serious conditions like diabetes.”

“Others were failing to take their medication altogether in order to avoid breaking their fast, or taking it in a single dose on an empty stomach when their fast ended which is highly dangerous with powerful toxic drugs such as those used in chemotherapy.”

“We realised something urgently needed to be done to prevent people jeopardising their health unnecessarily.”

Yesterday’s event aimed to suggest ways of remaining healthy while adhering to Islamic rules. Topics covered included living with diabetes during Ramadan, as well as advice for sufferers of cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

According to the East London Mosque, “The aim of the training day was for the imams to be able to reassure their followers – based on the sound medical advice offered – that prioritising their health is not going against their religious beliefs.”

Sheikh Abdul Qayum, an imam at the mosque, said: “Islam has great flexibility for those with medical conditions during the month of Ramadan.”

“Every case is unique and I would encourage people to seek advice from their doctors and imams on the best course of action rather than try to adjust their medical plans on their own which may result in a detriment to their health.”

An informational leaflet has also been produced to accompany the effort. It will be available to the local community in several languages during the run-up to Ramadan, which is due to begin on 11 August.

Members of Hackney Young Women's Group

Young women’s health issues will be targeted in Hackney tomorrow with a specially-organised event offering guidance on lifestyle factors such as drug awareness, nutrition and the benefits of exercise.

‘Respect Yourself, Respect Your Health,’ a free session intended to promote better well-being for the borough’s young women, will be held at Hackney Town Hall between 4pm and 8pm tomorrow, Friday.

It has been co-organised by Hackney Young Women’s Group (YWG) and Hackney Youth Service, and is intended to provide a fun way of teaching local women aged 13-19 how to stay fit and healthy.

A range of activities will be on offer, including workshops in dance and taster sessions in yoga, Wii Fit, and Aeroball. Advice will be available on general health, drugs and alcohol awareness, and healthy eating as well as free beauty and pampering sessions.

Highlights will include the ‘Just Dance’ competition, and performances with guests including R’n’B singer Princess Nyah. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a world record attempt for the largest female-only Skank dance.

Health education is of particular importance in Hackney, where lifestyle factors such as poor diet and smoking contribute significantly to ill health among residents.

According to a recent joint report published by the NHS and local authorities, the area covering Hackney and the City has one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in England, with almost 40% of children overweight or obese by the beginning of their teenage years.

Friday’s event is also designed as part of a wider YWG effort to bring together young women in the borough.

Councillor Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, who will give a presentation at the event, said: “The events that are organised by the young women are extremely popular and demonstrate the commitment of the Group to provide activities that young people enjoy.”

The group’s contributions to raising awareness about getting fit, staying healthy and having fun in Hackney were acknowledged earlier this month when it was awarded The Diana Award’s Certificate of Excellence, a prestigious national award.

The ‘Respect Yourself, Respect Your Health’ event takes place at Hackney Town Hall Assembly Rooms on Friday 18 June. Workshops: 4-7pm; competition performances and presentations: 7-8pm.

For more information contact: Ciara McDonnell, Young Women’s Worker, on 07891 514304 or ciara.mcdonnell@hackney.gov.uk

Photo: Wellcome Images

The United Kingdom’s  first  kiosks which can give instant checks on heart health have been established in Tower Hamlets.

Local people aged between 40 to 74 can now test their heart health at the digital kiosks in two of Tower Hamlets Councils’ Idea Stores – which provide library and adult education services in the borough.

The kiosks have already been installed in the stores on Roman Road in Bow and at Chrisp Street, off the East India Dock Road in Docklands. They will also become available at a variety of other community venues and events until June 24.

The heart health assessment will tell people how healthy their heart is, and also how likely they are to develop heart disease in the future. Health Care Assistants are also on hand to offer advice on how to prevent problems.

The kiosks are working in conjunction with local GP surgeries, allowing people with concerns to have a follow-up appointment with their doctor.

Director of Public Health in Tower Hamlets, Dr. Ian Basnett said: “Heart disease is preventable, yet it kills 42,000 people every year in the UK. We want to help those at risk in Tower Hamlets – people aged forty-plus – to understand what can cause an unhealthy heart so they are able reduce and to deal with any potential risks.”

Users of the kiosks will also get important information on themselves such as weight, body mass index, body fat content, blood pressure and heart rate.

Judith St John, Head of Idea Stores at Tower Hamlets Council said: “The council is delighted that Tower Hamlets was chosen to pioneer this health initiative, and the Idea stores are perfect locations because they are easy to access for everyone in the borough.”

One local resident, Jane Preston, 60, from Bow, said she believed the  kiosks will make it easier for people to check their health: “It’s a very good idea. I haven’t tried the kiosks yet, because there has always been a queue, but I’m definitely going to”.

For details about where and when you can get a health check, text HEART to 64745 (free).

Koupparis' Garden Homerton by Karen Eimot

As  nine-month-old twin girls Isabella and Lola Koupparis remained in hospital with ‘life-changing injuries’ from last Saturday’s attack  by a fox, Mayor Boris Johnson has urged  London councils to step up their ‘pest control’.

And today, Hackney council issued urgent advice to people in the area about dealing with urban foxes.

The baby girls were rushed to the nearby Royal London Hospital after the incident on Saturday night but Isabella has since been transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in central London for further treatment.

A spokesperson said: “Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust can confirm that Isabella Koupparis is still a patient at the hospital and continues to receive the highest possible levels of care from medical staff.”

The Royal London Hospital said Lola remained in a serious but stable condition.

An uncle of the twins, David Watson, said today their parents were ‘bearing up’ under the circumstances.

He told the Sun newspaper: “The staff have been brilliant and there’s been an improvement this morning.

“The injuries are pretty life changing. If a fox has mauled you in the arm and face, they are going to be.”

The babies have had surgery and Watson said: “They are improving. Lola’s a lot better.”

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson labelled foxes a pest and a menace. They could, in rare circumstances, pose a threat to humans. He told reporters today: “It’s right that boroughs should focus on their duties for pest control because as romantic and cuddly as a fox is, it is also a pest.”

Pete Crowden, chairman of the National Pest Technicians Association, warned people to stay on guard if they notice a fox in their neighbourhood.

“To the urban fox, a rabbit -or a baby- is a wriggling piece of meat,” Crowden told the Daily Telegraph. “People have got to realise that these are dangerous animals. When a vixen has cubs, her main job is to feed them.”

While the Hackney Council believe there is no evidence that the number of urban foxes in Hackney is greater than in any other part of London or urban Britain, they said today: “We usually receive around a couple of phone calls a month from people concerned about foxes getting into their bins, and we always advise residents to make sure they secure their bins and their fences, and don’t leave food out.

“All the expert advice we have received suggests that shocking incidents like this are incredibly rare, and our thoughts are with the children and their family.”

Tommy Walsh and Alfie

The Kouppari’s neighbour, Tommy Walsh, 54, of the BBC’s Ground Force, spoke to East London Lines today of the fox problem in his area.

He said: “Foxes are usually nocturnal and lone animals, yet in this area we see them on the streets during the day and roaming in groups. This is unnatural behaviour, they appear to be getting bolder.”

Mr Walsh has labelled his 11 stone Rhodesian Ridgeback, Alfie, the ‘Fox Dissuader’. “He often chases foxes, but isn’t fast enough to ever catch them. They like to tease Alfie by walking along our garden wall.”

He said he believes the council must take action, “There is a problem and something positive must be done. We can’t leave the situation as it is. We need a good strong policy. I think the most likely route of action that will be taken is the council with catch and relocate the foxes- at the taxpayers’ expense.

“I’m surprised and shocked by the attack as I’ve been led to believe that they are shy of humans. I wonder how would it have ended if the mother hadn’t heard them?”

Adam Rider, 29, a local bike shop owner, is also a neighbour. He said: “I hope that the foxes aren’t persecuted because of this. I don’t want it to be like sharks in Jaws! I’m a night owl, I’m always out on my bike, I come across them, it’s nice to see wildlife, they talk about foxes killing cats but I’ve always had a cats and I’ve never had a problem. I’m worried that people are going to put poison out. I’ve lived in this area my whole life. At the moment there are more foxes around than usual.”

The Council and police hand-delivered information to 200 households in the Victoria ward area this morning explaining that humane traps have been put in the garden of the Lauriston Road property as well as providing contact numbers for the RSPCA for those concerned about foxes’ welfare.

They gave residents the following tips:

-put your rubbish out in wheelie bins or closed containers, not plastic bags

-only put refuse out on the morning of collection

-do not leave food out for other animals, e.g. cats

-make sure food left out for birds is in an approved container

-make sure there are no areas where foxes can shelter, e.g. neglected areas, under buildings

-animal repellents are available from DIY centers

Additional reporting by Karen Eimot

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