About 30 to 40% of low-income expatriate workers who attended a free medical camp at Thumama Health Centre, were found to be suffering from diabetes or hypertension.

Most beneficiaries of the 15th free Asian Medical Camp were from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.While 2,500 workers had pre-registered, another 2,200 were screened after on-the-spot registrations.

“About 30 to 40% of the people who consulted the general physicians found to be suffering from diabetes or hypertension, known as lifestyle diseases.This is an alarming number,” a physician who examined several of the workers, told Gulf Times.

The medical camp was jointly organised by Friends Cultural Centre and Indian Doctors Club (IDC) under the auspices of Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and sponsored by Ooredoo. The range of medical services, included consultation, diagnosis, medicines and health awareness programmes.

"It was after the screening at the camp that several workers came to know that they were suffering from diabetes or hypertension or both.We sent three or four such cases to HMC's Emergency Department as they were found to be suffering from very high blood pressure,” explained the physician.

Back pain was another common ailment. “This is predominantly related to the nature of their work. Some of them do not go for treatment as they do not have health cards or their cards are expired. We also provided specialty services such as ophthalmology, neurology, physiotherapy, cardiology, ENT and dermatology.”

According to the organisers of the camp, more than 115 visitors donated blood at the Mobile Blood Bank Unit of HMC and many more signed agreements to donate organs. Qatar Red Crescent Society provided free blood pressure checks and blood sugar tests for visitors.

“We have given away about 500 spectacles free of charge at the camp and the patients were given free medicines. There were also awareness programmes on topics such as life style changes, diabetes, cancer among women, and healthy food habits in children among others,” said a spokesperson.

Around 125 doctors and 175 paramedical staff from HMC, PHCC, Qatar petroleum and private clinics provided various services at the camp along with some 350 volunteers .

Indian ambassador P Kumaran, also patron of the Asian Medical camp organising committee, inaugurated the camp in the morning. Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari, senior director, Branding and Corporate Responsibility, Ooredoo; V T Faisal, chairman of the organising committee, Dr. Fathhiya al-Meer, central regional director, PHCC; and Dr. Joy Mathews, IDC president, were among those present.

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