Supporting your patients who are fasting during Ramadan
The Islamic month of Ramadan is expected to take place beginning in the evening of Tuesday 17 February 2026, with the first day of fasting likely on Wednesday 18 February 2026. During this time Muslim people may stop eating, drinking and taking medication from sunrise to sunset.
It is important for GPs and practice nurses to be able to identify patients that could experience negative health impacts from fasting.
GPs are encouraged to have conversations with patients who are fasting during Ramadan if the patient:
has diabetes
has renal disease
is stabilised on regular medications that they take during the day.
Read on to learn about resources and services that can support patient care during Ramadan.
Diabetes management during Ramadan
Clinicians can send a diabetes mellitus referral to the Metro South Health Central Referral hub. Be sure to identify that your patient is participating in Ramadan.
See the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) resource that provides guidance for GPs on managing diabetic patients during Ramadan.
Brisbane South HealthPathways provides up-to-date referral pathways and clinical guidelines for the management of diabetes.
Join the free ‘Fasting and medication: Providing culturally sensitive patient care’ webinar
The ‘fasting and medication’ webinar, delivered by Centre for Equity & Health, will explore the management of medication during periods of religious fasting.
Participants will learn what types of questions to ask patients to better understand how fasting may impact their treatment, as well as strategies for managing patient care during this time.
Guest presenter, Nesrudin Mohamed Salah, is a dedicated refugee health nurse and emergency nurse at Cohealth and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Nesrudin will share real examples and practical advice that clinicians can apply immediately in your practice.
Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Time: 11 am to 11:30 am AEDT (Please note, this is 12 midday to 12:30 pm in Brisbane)
Location: This is an online event.