Clinic: an old but new idea

Mosque clinic Algiers

The clinic is at your nearest mosque ? .. read on before you judge…

In Brunei, most of us are familiar with having difficulties finding parking spaces at our government (outpatient) health clinics. Some health clinics are either converted houses or next to hospitals. Some of the larger clinics are purposed built buildings. It looks like the government is going to increase the number of clinics in the near future. There is a new direction of closing the Sg. Hanching clinic and opening a new one at Pangkalan Batu. I think i got this right.

Building new clinics means that the Ministry of Health has to spend money on construction. On the other hand, most mosques are not used except during prayer times, Friday prayers, and to run courses including marriage counselling courses, Quran & Muqaddam etc. reading lessons.

Would it not be cool to build a clinic next to or in the compounds of the mosque ?

It is not a new idea but an old one. check a few of these ‘mosque clinics’

After the dawn of Islam Masjid assumed a very important role in the society. It was not only used as a place to offer prayers but also became center of many other activities like a meeting place of the elders, as a teaching place – Schools or Madrassahs, a place to settle disputes or to make community announcements. Some Masjids had large libraries and even had offices of the local municipal administration or ruler.

Due to the central role of the Masjid it can be used to fulfill many community needs.

http://www.communitymosque.com/

http://www.iant.com/clinic.php

http://www.mmrforum.com/Masjid%20Clinic.htm

Mosque clinic, Iran

Here are the Pros and Cons

Pros

• Mosques are placed strategically in all districts of Brunei
• More people frequenting the Mosque compound, increasing likelihood to pray & come close to Allah
• Patients whilst waiting for diagnostic results or consultations can pray inside
• Cost saving (no need to construct a new building or buy new land to build a clinic)
• Alternative healing opportunities: Darulsyifa could have  a centre next to the medical clinic
• Reminds everyone that we are all fallible, and then we all will meet our maker
• There are many non-Muslims who have never been near a mosque and it would promote better understanding
• Lots of parking space !

Cons

• Some people may not like the idea of being next to a mosque for personal reasons
• Some people may say that the mosque should strictly be a place of worship, and this purpose should be not diluted (my argument: the clinic will be in the vicinty of the compound and not where people actually pray)
• unable to operate on Friday between 1200 hrs to 2pm (parking overwhelmed: Friday prayers)
• who will pay the electricity bill ? (Ministry of Health will have to pick up the tabs on this)
• Not all mosques are suitable for this purpose, some are too just too small.

What do you think ? is this a good idea ?

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