QATAR: Diabetes, hypertension on the rise in region, medical camp finds

. DOHA, Qatar / The Peninsula / Zawya Network / April 18, 2009 Alarming levels of hypertension and diabetes were found during the annual medical camp held jointly by the Indian Islamic Association (IIA) and Indian Medical Association (IMA), yesterday. The Free Medical Camp being organised for the eighth consecutive year, witnessed a huge turnout with more than 4,000 people turning up. "As in the previous medical camps, this year's camp also stressed on hypertension and diabetes," said Dr Sameer Kalandan, IMA President. "The prevalence of these diseases is growing at an alarming rate in the region especially among the low-income expatriates. A number of cases with alarming levels of hypertension and blood sugar were found during the screening of patients. Apart from hypertension and diabetes, the camp also laid emphasis on allergy and asthma." "The camp aims to promote health awareness and it is a golden opportunity for all especially medical professionals to serve the neglected sector of the community. The annual event has become more useful after the introduction of follow up camps for needy patients," he said. Unlike the previous camps, the organisers had restricted new registrations as the number of pre-registered people was high. In the morning session, more than 750 medical screenings were done for people with a monthly income of less than QR1500, according to an IIA official. Most of the beneficiaries were from different Asian communities like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The camp which was held under the patronage of the Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and sponsored by Q-tel was inaugurated by Sanjeev Kohli, Charge D'Affairs, Indian Embassy and Chief Patron of the eighth Medical Camp "HMCHMC provides free medical service to all, we support with this humanitarian venture as it provides support to a large number of people who are deprived of the medical facilities due to various reasons including the nature of their job and lack of health awareness," said Dr Abdul Wahid Al Mullah, Vice Chairman, Cardiac Surgery Department, HMCHMC. "This is a great opportunity for such people to get their health screened and take the follow up treatment if necessary. We assure our support and help for the future camps," he said during the inaugural event. "It is a common belief that all expatriates lead a life of luxury and joy whereas in reality it is always the opposite," said V T Abdulla Koya, President IIAQ. "People struggle to make both ends meet without even the basic necessities of life. These people deserve sympathy and help from humanitarian activities to make their life a little easier. By organizing such a camp, we aim at making health of prime concern and also to highlight it in society." © The Peninsula 2009