By Zia Khan /Staff Reporter
More than 300 low-income expatriates from different communities participated in a free medical camp organised by Pakistan Professional Forum Qatar at Pakistan Education Centre yesterday.
The majority of the beneficiaries were men, some children and women. Several doctors, paramedics, pharmacists and students volunteered to ensure the visiting patients were served properly.
Expatriates from Pakistan, India and Philippines were among those who attended the camp. Avtar Singh, a 32-year-old from Gurdaspur in India and a machine operator for a construction company, came seeking relief for a respiratory problem and sleep disorder.
Singh said he did not feel any hesitation in coming to the camp organised by Pakistani doctors despite decades old rivalry between the two South Asian nations, marred by four wars and several disputes.
“These are the problems of governments...I have Pakistanis in my company and we live like brothers. We speak the same language and think alike,” he added.
The doctors and paramedics, who volunteered to serve during the weekend, said they got satisfaction in treating those for whom good medical care is unaffordable. “We owe it to humanity...it is our collective responsibility to serve those who can’t pay for healthcare,” said Dr Kashif Mahmood, who hails from Karachi, Pakistan and who is with Hamad Hospital in Doha for a year now. Similarly, the student volunteers and paramedics also took part in what they called a public service they are proud to be associated with.
“It feels nice to help somebody...I’m happy to be here,” said Ryian Alam, a 15-year-old student of Doha College, who was at the camp to help patients find different doctors and medicines.
Supreme Education Council member Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, the guest of honour, inaugurated the camp. Pakistan Ambassador Mohamed Sarfraz Khanzada and other prominent members of the Pakistan community were present.