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Coronavirus: Indian doctors in UAE sponsor air tickets of Covid-affected

Abu Dhabi - The group has provided free air tickets of Vande Bharat Mission to more than 100 people.

They have been sponsoring air tickets of repatriation flights, carrying out treatment of Covid infected, conducting awareness drives and counselling sessions, and supporting blue-collar workers rendered jobless due to impact of the pandemic.
A group of Indian doctors from the UAE-based Association of Kerala Medical and Dental Graduates (AKMG) is not just helping the Covid-19 patients and sensitising masses about coronavirus but has also come to the aid of those who are bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Since its launch in 2003 under Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and MD, Aster Healthcare, the association has grown from 300 physicians and dentists to 1,400 registered members serving different healthcare groups and clinics across the UAE. The Covid-19 initiatives by AKMG Emirates - spread across the seven emirates - are carried out in coordination with the Indian missions, Norka-Roots, social and cultural associations and media outlets.
"In February and March, we started with tele-counselling in coordination with Norka-Roots. We had more than 70 specialists working round the clock, seven days a week. We received 40 to 45 phone calls every day from people who were apprehensive about Covid-19. We distributed food packs with essentials and medical kits to labour accommodations and the needy," said Dr George Jacob, the president of AKMG Emirates.
The group has provided free air tickets of Vande Bharat Mission to more than 100 people. "We offered free tickets to people based on the list provided by the Indian embassy and the Consulate. We have a 20-member committee to pick a final list of people with preference given to those in financial and medical needs," said Dr Jacob, dermatologist, Corniche Medical Centre, Ras Al Khaimah.
Dr Sughu Malayil Koshy, secretary general, AKMG Emirates, and noted doctors were also on frontline duties. From March to June, the group helped in identifying available beds at hospitals and getting the needy admitted through a network of coordination across the seven emirates.
Dr Anas A Majeed, a neurologist from Umm Al Quwain, added: "These initiatives are part of our social commitment to do as much as possible."
The group of doctors was also involved in offering service during floods in Kerala and facilitated 75 surgeries in the UAE and Kerala as part of the 'Save a Heart' programme.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com