There is a growing demand from workers in Umm Salal and surrounding areas for a health clinic in the municipal town.

The demand comes in view of the steady rise in population, particularly that of construction workers, in the town over the past three years and the consequent need for better medical facilities.

A number of companies have set up housing units for their workers in the town, which lies to the north of Doha, and the population is expected to grow further in the coming days.

Speaking to Gulf Times, representatives of some of the companies with a large workforce said it was high time a workers' health clinic was set up in Umm Salal.

"As of now, our workers have go to clinics in Al Khor or Mesaimeer, in Doha, for their medical requirements," said the camp manager of a company that moved its workers from Doha's Industrial Area to Umm Salal more than three years ago.

He said it was time-consuming for the workers to travel to Doha or Al Khor, stressing the need for a similar health facility in Umm Salal.

While the new clinic in Mesaimeer is a well-equipped facility, accessing it is a big challenge for the workers as there is no direct bus service between Umm Salal and the clinic, he pointed out. "So, our hope is that a workers' clinic will come up in Umm Salal soon," he added.

There have also been requests for introducing bus services to the clinic area in Mesaimeer from Al Sheehaniya and Umm Salal in recent weeks.

Mowasalat recently introduced more buses from Doha to areas in Umm Salal that house several workers' accommodation units. Gulf Times had earlier reported on the need for better public transport access to and from Umm Salal.

Conservative estimates put the number of construction workers in the town anywhere between 25,000 and 30,000. More than 35 companies are reportedly housing their workers in Umm Salal and more are expected to be shifted there in the coming months, according to sources.