The Chairman of KIMS Qatar Medical Centre (KQMC), Mubarak Jassim Al Khater (third right), flanked by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, P S Sasikumar (fourth left), and ICBF President Kareem Abdulla (second right), cutting the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the free medical camp at KIMS Qatar Medical Centre in Al Wakra, yesterday. Kammutty V P
By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Cases of diabetes and high blood pressure are common among low-income workers according to healthcare experts involved with a free medical camp organised by Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF).
A majority of young workers who visited the camp yesterday were diagnosed with diabetes and middle aged people with hypertension.
The camp held with the support of Hamad Medical Corportation, Indian Doctors Club (IDC) and Indian medical Association (IMA) at the KIMS medical Centre in Al Wakra, aimed at screening fishermen and low-income workers in the area.
Some workers have been in Doha for over five years and some for less than a year and majority of them haven’t seen a doctor before, according to Dr Biju Gafoor, Consultant at Emergency Medicine and General Secretary of the medical camp organising committee for IMA and IDC.
“Our aim is to screen workers and economically backward people who have no access to healthcare.
“Many of theme are young with undiagnosed diabetics, others have hypertension and skin problems,” said Dr Gafoor.
A total of 450 pre-registered labourers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka benefited from the camp.
Volunteers of the ICBF have met these workers.
Besides pre-registered workers, around 200 people visited the camp for consultation.
The camp also supported deserving patients to get health cards.
“Some workers who come to the camp don’t have health cards and it restricts them from accessing primary healthcare centres. We help them get cards,” said Dr Gafoor.
Seventeen doctors and experts in internal medicine, emergency medicine and orthopaedic and dermatology were available at the camp and advised visitors on diet, to quit smoking, and keep personal hygiene besides general screening.
“We don’t have health cards and this is the first time I have come to a doctor and I have been given medicine for hypertension,” said Saneep, a Nepalese worker.
The camp also saw a few female workers who visited for medical assistance.
“I heard about the camp from a friend, I was diagnosed with mild hypertension,” said Kumari, an Indian working for a beauty saloon.
The camp was held between 7am and 11am and the inauguration was attended by Chairman of KIMS Qatar Medical Centre (KQMC), Mubarak Jassim Al Khater, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, P S Sasikumar, Lieutenant Mohammed Al Obaid, from the Community Policing Department, Mike Frayne, Executive Director of Al Wakra hospital and other officials.
The ICBF is planning to hold a two-day camp in Doha soon to accommodate more people.
“The need for free medical camps is very high, each time we hold a camp the number of people attending goes beyond expectations,” said Kareem Abdulla, President of ICBF.
The Peninsula
