[Ibadan Journal of Sociology, Dec., 201 9 , 9 ]
[© 2014- 2019 Ibadan Journal of Sociology]111carry out such activities without religious bias. Furthermore, religious
bodies need to increase efforts towards contributing to development
programmes such as donating clean water, free treatment, vaccinations and
checks in poor communities, engaging in sanitation programmes in slums,
rehabilitation for youths who engage in substance abuse or other risky
behaviours.
In cognisance of the role religious beliefs and participation plays in
aspects of medical procedures including coping, recovery, medical
decisions, willingness to receive treatment, disease detection, and treatment
compliance (Koenig, 2004), it is crucial for physicians to seek information
on the patients’ religious orientation, prior to treatment. This is important to
improve doctor-patient relationship and medical care provided by
physicians (Koenig, 2002). Also, this approach may help physicians
recognize when patients have spiritual needs and requires pastoral care (Lo,
Ruston and Kates, 2002). However, incorporating pastoral care into health
care provisions is an aspect that has been largely neglected. In line with this
assertion, Agbiji and Agbiji (2016), noted that “one of the resources that is
underutilised is the religious and spiritual resource of pastoral care, which
constitutes a potentially unique social capital resource for health and
healthcare for many people in the world” (no page number). However, this
has to be done with caution. Finally, given the increase in the number of
attacks targeted towards religious houses in Nigeria, there is a need for the
government to intensify efforts to provide security for worshippers.