By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter

Hypertension is a major health issue that the single workers in Qatar face, according to the findings from a medical camp held for the Asian workers on Friday.

According to the preliminary assessment, out of nearly 5,000 workers who were screened for various health issues, about 25% were found suffering from hypertension. This was followed by diabetes as lifestyle diseases accounted for the major health problems for a good number of expatriates.

The camp, organised jointly by Friends Cultural Centre (FCC), Indian Medical Association’s Qatar Chapter (IMA) and Indian Doctors Club was held at Tariq Bin Zeyad Independent School for Boys.

Several nurses who screened the workers said that hypertension was the most common problem followed by high blood sugar, causing diabetes.

"Out of every 20 people tested for blood pressure, five to six were suffering from hypertension while two or three were diabetic," a nurse said.

Another paramedical staff reported similar findings.

Dr Sameer Moopen, IMA president, said that hypertension is a major problem among the expatriates in the country.

"A patient at the camp, was found to have high blood pressure, with the reading at 180/120 even after repeated checks, so we called an ambulance and rushed him to Hamad General Hospital.”

The IMA official also observed that many of the workers at the camp were screened for the first time for diabetes.

"They never had any idea that they were diabetic. This is another serious concern. Most of the single workers have very irregular food timings and unhealthy food habits which need to be changed.”

Another doctor working with Public Health Care Corporation said that the single workers need to be counselled often as most of them are away from their families and stay in a different environment.

“Frequent counselling is necessary to keep them mentally strong and healthy as well as to provide them comfort in times of distress. This will also lead to more awareness on health issues and food habits.

"Mental health is equally important as physical well being and therefore individual counselling can result in better performance and happiness among the workers. This will also lead to overcome stress and thereby reduce high blood pressure.”