The health awareness camp was part of the 'Year of Giving' initiative by Dubai's Community Development Authority.
Dubai - The health awareness camp was part of the 'Year of Giving' initiative by Dubai's Community Development Authority, called 'Honour Labour'.
Published: Mon 12 Jun 2017, 8:11 PM
Last updated: Mon 12 Jun 2017, 10:16 PM
More than 600 labourers were screened during a free health camp organised by the medical wing of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) recently at the Securitas labour accommodation in Muhaisnah, Dubai.
The health awareness camp was part of the 'Year of Giving' initiative by Dubai's Community Development Authority, called 'Honour Labour'. The initiative is aimed at creating health awareness among blue-collar workers and motivating them to adopt healthy habits.
The tagline of the activity was 'Your health is community's health' and included basic health checks like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI. It also included dental, orthopaedic, dermatology and eye check-ups.
Health awareness lectures on diabetes, hypertension, hand hygiene, smoking and oral hygiene were given by health professionals and free consultation was provided by doctors.
Interactive sessions and lectures were arranged by health professionals on musculoskeletal problems, stress at work, anxiety and depression, personal hygiene, oral hygiene and healthy habits during the holy month of Ramadan.
The labourers participated in these sessions and found them very helpful in dealing with daily matters at work and accommodation.
"Lots of labourers do not know if they are hypertensive or diabetic unless screened and will require constant follow-up," said Dr Aamerah Shah, a primary care physician at the American Hospital and general secretary of PAD medical wing.
A team from Ras Al Khaimah College of Dentistry screened patients for dental problems and referred for free dental treatment to their hospital. They also demonstrated proper brushing techniques to the labourers. Dr Ghazanfar Chaudhry, a urologist from Mediclinic City Hospital, provided consultations on men's health for labourers.
During the tour of the activity, Dr Nighat Aftab, president of the medical wing, introduced various participating hospitals and explained how labourers were screened for basic health checks. Later, gifts hampers were distributed among the labourers.
The American Hospital, The City Hospital, City Centre Clinic, Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Super Vision Optical, Ras Al Khaimah Dental College and American Wellness Centre were partner hospitals and clinics of the activity.
Present on the occasion were Dr Nasir Khan, commercial counsellor, and Saulat Saqib, community welfare attaché from the Pakistan Consulate, who appreciated the medical wing of PAD for organising health awareness camp in the holy month of Ramadan.
saman@khaleejtimes.com