Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurating the event as other officials and organisers look on. PICTURE: Najeer Feroke.
By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter
About 2,000 low-income workers of various nationalities attended a free medical camp organised by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and Focus Qatar at the Medical Commission on Friday.
While screening was done for several occupational diseases, a significant number of people tested positive for hypertension, followed by diabetes and joint pain.
A doctor, who examined more than 80 workers in his afternoon shift at the day-long camp, said many workers were unaware of the diseases and their consequences as they do not undergo regular medical check-up.
"Most of the workers suffer from high blood sugar due to stress at workplace and family concerns. Many of them are under work pressure. Several of them do not have the right food habits. Moreover, all of them are away from their families and staying alone. All these lead to high blood pressure.”
Another doctor said that many of the workers do not have a regular routine as their work schedules vary. "This affects their daily schedule and routine. Most of the workers stay in groups that comprises of people from different countries and their social and cultural background are also different," he observed.
A paramedic at the venue pointed out that the workers do not have awareness of their medical status. "Some of those tested positive for diabetes were not aware of the fact they were diabetic. The reason is that most of them do not visit a doctor or undergo any periodic medical check-up. Some of them are not even ready to consult a doctor for the fear that it might cost them a lot.”
The event, held in connection with the ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’, was inaugurated by Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public Health at SCH. He was accompanied by Dr Mohamed Hajjaj, head of Occupational Health, representatives of a number of embassies and several officials from the SCH.
Dr Sheikh Mohamed also went around an exhibition that was part of the event and visited the stalls that displayed various projects for occupational health from private and public sector.
Workers had lined up for screening from the morning and a number of doctors and paramedical staff were available for consultation for different diseases and offering expert advice. There were also many health awareness programmes for the workers.
