We are delighted to be working with Amjid Ali (right) to broaden our work to ensure that no once faces kidney disease alone. We recognise that so much more needs to be done to ensure that all kidney
patients, no matter what community, religious group or culture they come from should be supported equally and receive the same care. As part of this work, Amjid has joined the charity as our BAME Engagement and Inclusion Lead and has been developing a number of listening and discussions sessions. The first of these will be taking place on 9 September 2020.
Amjid has over 25 years’ experience in banking and retired as the Head of HSBC’s Islamic Financial Services division in the UK in June 2012 following a kidney transplant. Diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure in Oct 1987 at the age of 20 Amjid spent 23 years on home dialysis before receiving a living related kidney donation from his nephew in May 2011.
Amjid does a huge amount of work with NHSBT, and has played an instrumental role in bringing together influential Muslim Islamic scholars & Imams, umbrella groups, community organisations and clinical leads to look at the challenges that need to be addressed to move the organ donation debate forward. His perseverance and hard work over the course of 5 years has led to the development of an updated religious edict (Fatwa) on 'Transplantation and Organ Donation in Islam’. The updated Fatwa issued June 2019 states that deceased organ donation is permissible in principle, providing all requirements have been met to indicate that the soul has left the body.
The first session on 9 September 2020 is being held with healthcare professions, chaired by Amjid and Kidney Care UK Chief Executive Paul Bristow. Prof. Paul Cockwell, Clinical Vice Chair of The Renal Association will set out the current position in the Midlands region and Prof. Gurch Randhawa, Professor of Diversity in Public Health and Director, Institute for Health Research will be facilitating. Future sessions are being planned for the months ahead; the second session will be with Community Partners and a final session will be held with Patients and Carers in early December. We will share more information about these sessions in the weeks ahead.