Key Considerations for Primary Care Teams
With Ramadan approaching (expected 17 February to 18 March 2026, subject to moon sighting), many patients will experience prolonged fasting alongside changes to eating patterns, hydration, medication timing, and sleep. These shifts can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. As primary care healthcare professionals, we are well placed to support patients to observe Ramadan as safely as possible, while minimising risks.
Reflecting on this, Ramadan often serves as a timely reminder of the importance of culturally sensitive, person-centred care in primary care. Below are some of the key areas commonly encountered in practice, alongside trusted resources that can support safe, evidence-based decision-making.
Diabetes
Safe management of diabetes is a well-recognised consideration during Ramadan, and one that often prompts important conversations in primary care. As Muslims fast from dawn (Suhoor) to sunset (Iftar), the resulting changes to eating patterns, hydration, medication timing, and daily routines can impact glycaemic control. For people living with diabetes, fasting may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, dehydration, and diabetic ketoacidosis. This reinforces the importance of early, proactive discussions and individualised support to help patients make informed and safe decisions during Ramadan.
Primary care teams should support patients to:
Assess whether it is safe for them to fast
Understand individual risk stratification
Adjust medication, insulin regimens, and monitoring where appropriate
Recognise when to break the fast for health reasons
There are lots of useful resources out there, but below are some that I like:
Further learning - free online training is also available for both healthcare professionals and patients below:
Vaccines
Vaccination during Ramadan is generally encouraged. Most Islamic scholars agree that vaccines do not invalidate the fast, and vaccination may help prevent serious illness during Ramadan. This can be particularly reassuring for patients who feel uncertain or hesitant.
Other medical conditions
The decision to fast is a personal one and should always be respected. Reflecting on this, for many patients, decisions about fasting are influenced by faith, personal values, and family expectations, alongside medical advice.
Some individuals may be at increased risk of harm due to underlying medical conditions, or because they alter, delay, or omit prescribed medication when fasting. Where risks are higher, patients should be encouraged to discuss their plans with a healthcare professional. The British Islamic Medical Association provides a range of resources to support shared decision-making in these situations, including the Ramadan Compendium.
One issue I had not fully appreciated until exploring this topic further is how beliefs about fasting can affect medicine use. For example, some patients may avoid using eye drops during Ramadan due to concerns that they may invalidate the fast, potentially risking deterioration in eye health. Being aware of these beliefs allows us to offer reassurance and provide safe, effective guidance.
Lifestyle Advice and Health Behaviour Change
As primary care increasingly focuses on prevention and health behaviour change, it is important to understand how Ramadan can influence lifestyle habits. Reflecting on this prompted me to explore the evidence base further.
A search of the literature via the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub highlighted this journal article: “Lifestyle practices and health promotion strategies to support physiological well-being during Ramadan.” Reading this helped me think more carefully about how lifestyle advice can be adapted to remain realistic and supportive during the fasting period.
Key practical takeaways included:
• Prioritising slow-digesting carbohydrates (e.g. oats or sweet potatoes) at Suhoor
• Including lean protein to improve satiety
• Scheduling light walking during fasting hours
• Undertaking resistance or higher-intensity exercise after Iftar
• Using short daytime naps (≤30 minutes) to help with sleep disruption
Final thoughts
Ramadan offers an important opportunity for us to reflect on how we provide culturally sensitive care in primary care. By having early, thoughtful conversations, carrying out personalised risk assessments, and signposting to trusted resources, we can better support patients to observe Ramadan safely.
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