Over 5,000 to attend Asian Medical Camp

More than 5,000 people from different walks of life will attend the 15th Free Asian Medical Camp as well as the concurrent health awareness exhibition and lectures, jointly organised by Friends Cultural Centre (FCC), Indian Doctors’ Club (IDC), this Friday at Thumama Primary Health Care Centre from 7am to 6pm.
The camp is held under the auspices of the Primary Health care Corporation (PHCC) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and is sponsored by Ooredoo.
Speaking at a press conference, the organisers said the camp is a good example of participation of governmental and non-governmental organisations in realising comprehensive social development as outlined in Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which was formulated under the leadership of Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The camp’s main objective, they added, is to impart right health education to labourers, mainly from Asian countries, who are vulnerable to some life-threatening diseases due to the mental stress resulted by their complex work environment and a disorderly lifestyle. The camp also seeks to introduce to all participants of the medical services rendered by the government to all residents and encourage them to benefit from these services. The camp’s charity aspect is also highlighted in the fact that it serves all low-income workers irrespective of their nationality or other backgrounds. The only eligibility to avail the services is that they belong to low-income group.
The organisers said that nearly 2,000 preregistered low-income labourers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be offered free medical check-up, treatment, medicines and follow-up treatment arrangements through this annual event.
The camp’s inauguration ceremony, which will begin at 9 am on Friday, will be attended by Indian Ambassador to Qatar P Kumaran, senior officials of the PHCC, HMC, Ooredoo and representatives of various governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The registration of the deserving beneficiaries of the camp was complete and special registration cards have already been issued to them. However, lab tests for random blood sugar and blood pressure are available on the spot for all visitors.
The service of more than 150 doctors and 175 para-medical staff will be available at the camp for registered participants. Services include clinical tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol; oral cancer screening; eye test; ultrasound and ECG tests as well as consultation and counselling.
Free medicines will be distributed for common diseases as per prescription by doctors who include orthopaedics, cardiologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, dentists and general physicians. The Ophthalmology Department of HMC will offer glaucoma test. HMC will also facilitate audiometric tests for interested participants and breast cancer awareness programme for women.
Hamad Training Centre will make a presentation on basic life support whereas awareness programme will also be organised by various agencies of Ministry of Interior.
Physiotherapy Forum Qatar will also participate in the camp. Over 750 volunteers will offer their services to ensure a hassle-free camp.
Referral will be provided for patients to HMC or walk-in clinics if required. Other services of the camp include distribution of free health cards to deserving patients, subsequent clinical follow-up and periodical check-ups, necessary assistance for deserving chronic patients, and free specs for needy eye-patients.
In addition, health awareness lectures will also be organised on the sidelines of the camp.