Association’s medical wing 50% complete
More than 300 benefit from free medical camp at Pakistan Association Dubai
More than 300 patients benefited from the free medical camp set up by the medical wing of the Pakistan Association Dubai (Pad) on Friday.
Held at the Pad auditorium in Oud Metha, the monthly camp saw patients get free consultations and treatment by 25 specialist doctors.
The camps are held on the last Friday of every month, to benefit those who cannot afford basic health care.
“We have a pool of 50 doctors who dedicate their time on the last Friday of every month for those who can’t afford basic health care. We serve 300 to 350 patients in these camps, with issues ranging from diabetes, hypertension, urology, ophthalmology, skin care etc,” said Dr. Nighat Aftab, president of Pad’s medical wing.
Apart from offering free consultations, doctors at the camp advise patients on various conditions and offer follow-up treatment at their ■ respective clinics for nominal fees. Free medicines are also provided on occasions when Pad has the budget or enough donations. Apart from doctors, the camp is managed by volunteers including students and community members.
Pad’s medical wing has served over 25,000 patients in almost 100 free medical camps since 2009; the regular campaign is now transforming into the not-for-profit Pakistan Medical Centre, set to open on August 14, 2019.
“We have around 500 doctors registered with us and this entire campaign is driven by doctors committed to serving community members who can’t afford quality health care. The idea of the medical centre blossomed when the growing popularity of the health camps made us realise the need of a permanent solution for the poor,” said Tayyab Sheraz, executive member of Pad and one of the camp organisers.
Once the medical centre starts functioning, the monthly camp will cease. Almost 50 per cent of the work on the centre is complete.
Work on the Dh12 million two-storey facility is currently in full swing.
The medical centre will offer free services to needy people of all nationalities.