Staying true to its objective of lending a helping hand to those in need, the charitable organisation Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) organised its 27th Free Medical Camp for workers all through Friday morning and noon at the Medical Commission in Abu Hamour.
ICBF, a charitable organisation under the aegis of the embassy of India, in association with the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, organised the camp from 7.30am to 2pm on Friday. The camp was supported by Telugu Kala Samiti (TKS) and Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS), which are socio-cultural organisations affiliated to ICC.
The medical camp provided free consultation, investigation and free medicines to 1,200 workers of various nationalities of low-income group, employed with different companies in Qatar. Arvind Patil, President, ICBF, told Community, “ICBF has always tried to bring smiles to those who are unable to go to medical centres for treatment due to their busy work schedule. All 1,200 participants were happy with yoga sessions. They ask for more such medical camps on Fridays. ICBF has considered their request and intends to conduct such medical camps once in every three months in the future.”
The elaborate camp was attended by labourers from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pre-registration of workers was carried out by ICBF, TPS and TKS during a two-week course that involved visiting various labour camps and companies in Doha and the Industrial Area. In addition to this, there were spot registrations.
 A team of nine dedicated doctors consisting of general physicians and specialists from various medical centres including Parko, KIMs, Aster and Al-Abeer attended to the workers. The paramedical team was from Medical Commission and some other medical centres also participated.
“Wellcare group provided exemplary pharmaceutical support and free medicines in addition to the free medicines supplied by Hamad Medical Corporation. The Yoga in Doha group laboriously conducted Yoga sessions for all the workers throughout the camp,” Patil said. “TKS and TPS supplied refreshments to all the workers, doctors, paramedical staff and provided voluntary support along with ICBF committee members.”
The medical camp was inaugurated by Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora, along with Abdul Rahman al-Mushiri, Medical Coordinator, Medical Commission of Qatar. Other dignitaries present at the inaugural function were R K Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission, embassy of India, and ICBF Co-ordinating Officer; Arvind Patil, President of ICBF; Harish Reddy, President, TKS; and Umesh, General Secretary, TPS. The Indian Embassy-Labour Section employees were present at the venue to hear out the workers’ problems and answered the many queries of the workers.
Addressing the workers present at the camp, Arora said, “I am just another worker from amongst you, assigned by the Indian government for your service and betterment.” Arora also praised the Ministry of Health and Hamad Medical Corporation for their support and for their joining hands with the embassy of India.
Last month, the 26th such medical camp was set up in association with Indian Doctors Club, Qatar Chapter, and Aster Qatar Medical Centre Group, and supported by Tamizar Sangam Qatar (TSQ).  ICBF, since 1984, is an organisation under the aegis of embassy of India 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 in Qatar, people who are in need of medical treatment for life-threatening diseases, those experiencing difficulties in obtaining legal advice and support.