THOUSANDS of low- income workers are expected to benefit from a year-long health campaign.
Around 10 private healthcare facilities will be offering nearly 5,000 expats free health check-ups as part of the drive spearheaded by the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) and supported by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
The initiative kicks off today with the first camp at the Middle East Hospital, Segaiya which will be inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava at 10am.
“The mega camp is part of celebrations marking 75 years of India’s independence,” ICRF chairman Dr Babu Ramachandran told the GDN.
“We are focusing on Indians, but will not deny the service to other nationals if they are part of a group.
“In the next 12 months we plan to host one or two camps every month at various private hospitals; instead of visiting labour camps like before, we will be bringing them to the hospitals.”
One of ICRF’s public support programmes was free monthly medical camps at labour accommodations, which was restricted since the onset of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The medical checks will include routine blood sugar tests and specialist attention if needed. Participants will also be provided with free food and gift hampers.
Former ICRF chairman Aruldas Thomas said the camps will help screen a segment of the population which comprises the needy.
“The LMRA will support us with all Covid-19 related materials including face masks, gloves, sanitisers and flyers,” he said.
“These camps aim to cover 4,000 to 5,000 men who will be screened for possible infections or underlying health conditions.
“Most of the time these men take such issues lightly and they rarely go for check-ups.”
The GDN previously reported that the 200-strong ICRF volunteer team which works under the Indian Embassy’s umbrella has helped the mission in all major campaigns to help Indian nationals.
The group offered mortuary assistance to more than 500 Indian families who suffered the tragic loss of a loved one during the Covid-19 pandemic in the last 20 months and helped more than 100 jail inmates by distributing personal care products and clothes since January last year.
The ICRF hotline received more than 13,000 calls last year from people pleading for food after losing their jobs as a result of the economic impact of Covid-19.
It also distributed around 3,500 food ration boxes (around 60 tonnes), more than 250 tickets (partially or fully) for stranded Indians to return home during the pandemic, medical support to more than 50 patients, 30,000 face masks and more than 12,000 antibacterial soaps and sanitisers.
Almost 90 families benefited from the group’s family welfare fund of 100,000 Indian rupees (around BD500). Financial aid was given to families of deceased Indian labourers who earned less than BD100 per month.
The fund is replenished through ICRF’s annual fundraiser art carnival, Spectra.
The team, as part of its Covid-19 awareness campaigns, conducted 36 online webinars, two quiz events, one musical tribute and 17 videos which were well received on social media.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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