Means of Achieving Health Security in The Umayyad Era (41- 132 AH/661-750 AD)

Abstract

: The aim of the current study is to examine the means to achieve health care security in the Umayyad era and the most important therapeutic and preventive measures taken to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases, both for individuals and communities, and at the level of the environment with its various components. The study starts by defining the concept of healthcare security linguistically and terminologically and then focuses on the Umayyad era's interest in taking medical measures, which was manifested in the attention paid to medicine and doctors, who enjoyed a special status during the Umayyad era. This includes the establishment of hospitals, both fixed and mobile, and the allocation of departments in hospitals for the elderly and for certain infectious diseases, in addition to therapeutic baths. The study also discusses the most important preventive measures to maintain health or prevent the spread of diseases, such as personal hygiene, cleanliness at home, and avoiding consuming foods prohibited by Islamic law due to their harm to human health. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of healthcare for soldiers, people with disabilities, prisoners, and animals. To achieve its objectives, the study adopted a descriptive-analytical historical approach to collect information and historical narratives from sources and references and to analyze them objectively in a way that served the topic of the study. The study concluded that the Umayyad caliphs prioritized the health of their subjects and animals by allocating hospital departments to the elderly and infectious diseases. They also expressed concern for people with disabilities and prisoners. The study recommends prioritizing subjects' rights in medical treatment and promoting personal hygiene