British Islamic Medical Association celebrates Muslim healthcare heroes

Winners at Bima's inaugural awards included a doctor whose cancer classes help Black women spot signs of the disease

, and Administrator

2025 December 21 . 4:52 AM

1 min read

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British Islamic Medical Association celebrates Muslim healthcare heroes

The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) has celebrated the achievements of Muslim healthcare professionals at its first-ever awards ceremony. The event recognised their vital role in the UK’s health sector, where Muslims represent 19% of the workforce but only 6% of the wider population.

Among the honourees was Dr. Fatima Hussain, who received the Doctor of the Year award for her contributions to fertility medicine. Another standout winner was Dr. Sakinat Tope Baiyewu, a public health expert specialising in reproductive health, maternal care, and HIV/AIDS prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. She took home the Public Health Award for her work with the Black Health Improvement Programme. To make her training sessions more inclusive, Dr. Baiyewu uses Black mannequins when teaching breast lump examinations, ensuring her demonstrations resonate with diverse audiences.

The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Dr. Muhammad Shafi Kausar, a pioneering figure in Glasgow’s medical community. A posthumous lifetime achievement award honoured his decades of service, including founding one of the city’s first South Asian Muslim-owned GP surgeries. His legacy extends beyond medicine, as he was widely respected for his efforts in community building. The awards highlighted how Muslim professionals are shaping healthcare across the UK, from clinical practice to public health initiatives.

The BIMA awards shone a light on the often-overlooked impact of Muslim healthcare workers. Their contributions span specialist fields, community outreach, and long-term service. The event also underscored the growing representation of Muslims in a sector where they play a disproportionately large role.