Over 900 benefit from ICBF medical camp

Closing an eventful year on a generous note, the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) conducted its 28th Free Medical Camp for workers all through Friday a morning and noon in the Industrial Area recently.ICBF, a charitable organisation under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Qatar, in association with the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, and Atlas Polyclinic conducted their well-attended medical camp for workers at the Atlas Polyclinic, Grand Mall, Industrial Area from 7am to 1pm on Friday.The medical camp was inaugurated by the ambassador of India to Qatar, P Kumaran, and Public Health Qatar Director Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad bin J al-Thani, in presence of Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy R K Singh; ICBF President Devis Edukulathur; Doha Healthcare LLC Business Development Manager Venugopal; Director of Atlas Polyclinic Jose Moyalan; ICBF past presidents Nilangshu Dey, Arvind Patil; President of TRAQ Vinod Nair; President of IWA Ushas Andrews; Basil Joy from Atlas Polyclinic; and other dignitaries.Sheikh al-Thani expressed his contentment on the open and accommodating attitude of the Indian community towards other nationalities in Qatar and appreciated the role of ICBF in undertaking initiatives such as the medical camp.Ambassador Kumaran addressed the concerns of workers who attended the medical camp and assured all possible assistances from the embassy. The camp was supported by the Indian Women`s Association (IWA) and Thiruvananathapuram District Residents Association of Qatar (TRAQ), which are socio-cultural organisations affiliated to ICC. Meanwhile, Dandy provided free juices to all workers at the camp.ICBF President Devis Edukulathur told Community, “ICBF is on its continual endeavour of spreading the spirit of benevolence in air and our ever-improving medical camps in terms of both quality and quantity certifies this effort.”The camp provided free medical assistance to over 900 people from various labour camps and companies in Doha and Industrial Area of at least six different nationalities. A huge number of spot registrations were also attended to in addition to three medical emergencies during the camp. Atlas Polyclinic also provided free consultation cards valid for a period of three months to the workers who required detailed check-up from specialists. The cases requiring further medical assistances were provided references.The team of dedicated doctors consisted of general physicians, specialised doctors and dentists. Paramedical services were also available. Atlas Polyclinic and Wellcare Group provided free medicines. The ‘Yoga in Doha’ group conducted yoga sessions for the workers throughout the camp.To inculcate the value and importance of generosity, ICBF also held a children orientation workshop titled ‘The Art of Giving’ at the ICC Ashoka Hall recently, in which more than 50 students from various schools including Birla, Bhavan’s, DPS-MIS and MES participated. At the workshop, the students were organised into teams and given real-life scenarios, which had to be enacted upon after a brief group discussion. The budding community displayed their thought process on stage in the form of well-planned and neatly executed skits.ICBF, since 1984, is an organisation under the aegis of Embassy of India, Qatar, that voluntarily undertakes the task of providing succour and solace to the needy and under-privileged members of the Indian expat community in Qatar and also their families in India. ICBF provides assistance to those who are stranded or are in distress. This includes those at the deportation centre, those who have served their sentences in jail for offences at Qatar, people who are in need of medical treatment for life-threatening diseases, those experiencing difficulties in obtaining legal advice and support. From providing food and ration to stranded labourers to consulting free medical camps on a regular basis, ICBF helps the community in several ways.