The Health November 2020 | Page 17

Researchers break down guidelines and conditions for medicine intake during Ramadhan
The pandemic paves the way for researchers to assist in enhancing business marketing strategies including for halal products

| Halal Health |

November , 2020 | The Health

17

Medicines during a fast

Researchers break down guidelines and conditions for medicine intake during Ramadhan

BY CAMILIA REZALI

A digital business model for SMEs

The pandemic paves the way for researchers to assist in enhancing business marketing strategies including for halal products

Fasting is a pillar of Islam , and every Muslim should perform . Ramadan is a month of fasting where Muslims abstain from food , beverage or oral drugs from dawn to sunset .
Patients with chronic diseases often insist on fasting even though they are permitted not to under Islamic rules . The big question is , how can Muslims strike a balance between performing their Islamic religious practice while at the same time , ensure their health is well taken care of ?
Said Senior Lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( UKM ), Dr Dahlan Salleh : “ For patients with a stroke , those who have severe infections and need to complete a set of antibiotics or diabetic patients who often experience hypoglycaemic , their fasting time may vary based on five categories of Islamic Jurisprudence .”
The categories of Islamic Jurisprudence includes wajib ( obligatory act ), mandub ( virtuous acts ), haram ( forbidden ), makruh ( abominable ) and mubah ( permitted ).
Islamic Jurisprudence
Dahlan said Muslims were often puzzled between the guidelines given to the community regarding medical practices primarily on the intake of tablet medicine , drinking medicine , drops ( eyes , ears and nose ), suppositories , pessaries and inhalers . The same goes for the medication in the form of creams , ointments , lotions , bolus injection , infusion injections , mouthwash , and even medicines to be placed under the tongue .
An academician by profession on Islamic Law , Dahlan has written various articles and journals in Islamic Jurisprudence , Islamic Economics and Islamic Commercial Law for forums and seminars .
About his latest research funded by Duopharma Biotech Berhad
Medications such as inhalers , pesari , suppositories and enema , antiseptic mouthwash , nasal spray , sublingual tablets or even medicines in the form of creams will not invalidate fasting .”
titled ‘ Formation of medicine intake guidelines for external patients in the month of Ramadhan ’, conducted with two other research partners , two significant issues stood out . One related to the patient ’ s decision to fast , and the other , was the need for guidelines and conditions that need to be adhered to .
The research resulted in tabulated data specifying the types of medications matching to the categories of Islamic Jurisprudence . “ The question is ; does it reach the stomach ? If the medicine does not reach the internal human body , it does not invalidate fasting ,” shared Dahlan .
Medications such as inhalers , pesari , suppositories and enema , antiseptic mouthwash , nasal spray , sublingual tablets or even medicines in the form of creams will not invalidate fasting .
As a whole , Islam is the way of life . Muslims are encouraged to place their health as a top priority . The obligation to perform worship is subject to the ability and as long as the practice does not harm the worshiper . — The Health
Given the need for Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) to move towards digital businesses , researchers in the field of business have embarked on several research projects to provide the best solutions for entrepreneurs amidst the Covid-19 pandemic .
A lecturer from the Graduate School of Business , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( UKM ), Dr Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain shared details of a framework for business content marketing .
In this context , he said products presented with a halal logo would add on a trust value to buyers as customers will be less worried as the product is clean and safe .
In implementing halal values through the framework , he said it was essential to strategise according to the elements of the AIDA model , which is Attention , Interest , Desire and Action .
“ We must pay attention to the benefits of halal , continuously highlighting on halal to create interest , desire and call-to-action .”
Wan Hirwani has over eight years ’ experience in internet marketing , search engine marketing ( SEM ), search engine optimisation ( SEO ), business development as well as product , service and commercialisation technology . Being well-versed in the
We see that there is a challenge for SMEs to divert their businesses from offline to online , and the process of adapting to such changes takes time .”
field , he has consulted for hundreds of entrepreneurs , offering them advice for their business .
“ We see that there is a challenge for SMEs to divert their businesses from offline to online , and the process of adapting to such changes takes time .
“ Through the content marketing framework , we proposed Content Marketing ( CM ) solutions , which combines creativity , content roadmap , CM team , budget , selecting CM tools , planned publishing schedule and forms of content promotion .
Content marketing strategy
Wan Hirwani said the Covid-19 pandemic had become one of the push factors for not only the business industry ’ s supply chain but also the development of business research .
Choosing a platform for content marketing is critical for any business today . It depends on the product ’ s target market and identifying their most common interactive media platform used .
He added : “ The most effective content marketing strategy right now is through the use of videos as more people prefer watching videos compared to reading .”
Establishing brand awareness and focusing on thought leadership and advocacy are some of the primary steps highlighted in the content marketing framework . Building customer engagement , reaching customer loyalty and running towards a financial target was also marked as some of the smart objectives in strategising promotional content . — The Health