Thousands of people from different walks of life will attend the 15th Free Asian Medical Camp and the concurrent health awareness exhibition and lectures, the organisers have said.
The initiative is being jointly organised by Friends Cultural Centre and Indian Doctors’ Club (IDC) at the Thumama Health Centre from 7am to 6pm this Friday (November 25). The camp will be 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 the participation of government and non-government organisations in realising comprehensive social development as outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.
The camp’s main objective, they stressed, is to impart right health education to labourers, mainly from Asian countries, who are vulnerable to some chronic diseases due to the mental stress resulting from their complex work environment and a disorderly lifestyle.
The press conference was attended by Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, community relations senior manager, Ooredoo; Dr Fathiya al-Meer, central region director, PHCC; Abdulla al-Ansi, Qatar Charity; Dr Joji Thomas, president, IDC; Abdussalam K, general secretary, Indian Islamic Association Qatar; and Yasir T K, PR secretary, Indian Islamic Association.
The camp seeks to introduce to all participants the medical services rendered by Qatar’s government to all residents and encourage them to benefit from these services, according to a press statement. The camp serves low-income workers irrespective of their nationality or other backgrounds.
The organisers said nearly 2,000 pre-registered 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 9am on Friday, will be attended by Indian ambassador P Kumaran, senior officials from PHCC, HMC and Ooredoo and representatives of various government and non-government organisations.
The registration of deserving beneficiaries of the camp is complete and special registration cards have been issued to them, according to the organisers. Lab tests for random blood sugar and blood pressure are available, in co-operation with Qatar Red Crescent Society, on the spot for all visitors.
The service of more than 150 doctors and 175 paramedical staff will be available for registered participants. Services offered 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 based on prescription by doctors who include orthopaedics, cardiologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, dentists and general physicians. The Ophthalmology Department of HMC will offer a glaucoma test.
HMC will also facilitate audiometric tests for interested participants and a breast cancer awareness programme for women.
The Hamad training centre will make a presentation on basic life support whereas awareness programme will also be organised by various agencies of the Ministry of Interior. Physiotherapy Forum Qatar will participate in the camp and offer physiotherapy services as an added feature.
More than 750 volunteers will offer their services to ensure a hassle-free camp for all participants. 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 periodic check-ups, necessary assistance for deserving chronic patients and free spectacles for needy eye patients.  
In addition, health awareness lectures will be organised on the sidelines of the camp.
Besides, interested participants can donate blood or register their names for blood donation in future. They can also express their willingness to donate organs.

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