Indian Ambassador P Kumaran inaugurating the 15th Free Asian Medical Camp along with Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Director, Community and Public Relations at Ooredoo, Ali Saif of Qatar Charity, Fathiya Al Meer, Central Region Director, PHCC, Dr Joji Thomas, P
Thousands of low-income Asian expatriates yesterday benefited from a range of medical services, including consultation, diagnosis, medications and health awareness programmes, as part of the 15th free Asian medical camp at Thumama Health Centre.
The camp, jointly organised by Friends Cultural Centre (FCC) and Indian Doctors Club (IDC) under the auspices of Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and sponsored by Ooredoo, was attended by more than 5,000 expats, including 2,000 pre-registered low-income workers.
Many visitors at the camp donated blood at the Mobile Blood Bank Unit of HMC and signed agreements to donate organs. Qatar Red Crescent Society provided free blood pressure checks and blood sugar tests for visitors. Most beneficiaries were from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal who were screened for blood pressure, blood sugar and glaucoma among others.
P Kumaran, Indian Ambassador to Qatar and the chief Patron of Asian medical camp Organising Committee, who inaugurated the camp, said Indian embassy was proud to cooperate with this great medical camp.
“Those labourers who cannot afford to give special attention to their health can benefit greatly from such endeavours. The Embassy will take utmost care of the welfare of labourers,” he said adding that the Embassy would start three centres in four months, offering services in areas where low-income labourers stay.
“Asian medical camp has become a major event in the national calendar of Qatar,” said Fatima Sulthan Al Kuwari, Senior Director, Branding and Corporate Responsibility, Ooredoo.
V T Faisal, Chairman of the organising committee, who presided over the session, said the camp was a noble example of excellent relations between the expatriate community and Qatari authorities. Dr Fathiya Al Meer (Central Regional Director, PHCC), IDC President Dr Joy Mathews, Ali Saif (Qatar Charity) spoke at the inaugural function. Officials from various government departments and Indian community organisations attended the inaugural programme.
In addition, health awareness lectures were also organised on the sidelines of the camp. Dr Mohamed Shaheen, Consultant, Primary Health Care Corporation (Lifestyle Management in Diabetes); Dr Shakir, Specialist, Family Medicine, Aster Medicals (Healthy Food habit in Children); Dr Hema Rajeev, Gynaecologist, Aster Medicals (Diabetes in Pregnancy); Dr Mohamed Aslam, Physiotherapy Specialist, Hamad Medical Corporation (Movement is Life); and Dr Jazeera Saidarakkath (Screening for Cancer in Female) led the health lectures.
