KT for good: This doctor treats thousands of his patients for free

Professor Abbasher Hussain from Sudan has used his knowledge and expertise to treat thousands of patients for free and contribute to improving medical research in his country. The 60-year-old professor of neurology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, established a specialised epilepsy clinic in the Om-durman town in 1984 to help disadvantaged people struggling with seizures and post-traumatic epilepsy.
He not only offers free-of-charge check-ups and medications, but also sometimes covers the transportation costs of needy patients.
An employee at his clinic said: "When we find a star on a patient's prescription paper, it means he/she requires free medications. When we find two stars, it means the patient's medicines and transportation costs are to be covered."
In his community, Hussain is best known for his smile and warm hospitality to his patients. He welcomes more than 200 patients a day coming from all over Sudan with a cadre of five specialists, seven assistants and six medical students.
On an average day, Hussain goes to the general hospital early morning, before moving to his private centre in Om-durman. Fridays are dedicated to disadvantaged families, when he uses revenues from his private clinic to cover the costs of less fortunate patients.
Ahmed Awad, Hussain's neighbour, said: "He welcomes patients himself at the door and follows them out after he's done with the check-up, to receive the next patient with a big smile. He always keeps his smile on no matter how crowded or busy the centre is."
In some cases, the total cost per patient, including transport, reaches 21,700 Sudanese pounds (Dh1,520).
Through his 25 years of experience in medicine, Hussain has helped 250,000 neurological patients. He supervised 87 doctoral research papers and authored four books on neurology and epilepsy.
To contribute to improving neurological research and medical care in Sudan, Hussain founded the Daoud Research Group (DRG) in 1995 to empower healthcare professionals, especially fresh graduates and young doctors.
He launched the Daoud Mobile Charity Clinic run by doctors, house officers, medical students and DRG members to evaluate patients with epilepsy and neurological disorders across Sudan on an annual basis.
Hussain is currently coordinating with authorities to enable him to offer free-of-charge check-ups in a different state across Sudan every week to ease their transport burden to Om-durman. "Some of my patients live in very difficult conditions, and I wish I can be in a different state every Friday to serve them, so I'm looking at ways to make it happen. All we want is a fixed place to conduct the check-ups in every state for free to save efforts, time and money of patients," said Hussain.
Hussain relies on his own personal funds to support his humanitarian work. His four children, currently studying medicine, often join his clinic as volunteers. "I have raised them to give back to the community and asked them to continue my journey when I'm gone," said Hussain.
Using knowledge for good
1-Professor Abbasher Hussain  offers free check-ups and medicines
2-Sometimes, he covers the transportation costs of needy patients
3-He has helped 250,000 neurological patients
4-A research group he founded empowers healthcare professionals
5-A mobile charity clinic evaluates patients with epilepsy across Sudan.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com