Dubai: Low-income workers are being provided free medical check-ups and medicine during Ramadan in an effort to raise the level of health awareness in this segment of the population.
In collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has launched a variety of activities under the theme ‘Healthy fasting’ at tents in Al Twar and Sonapur (Al Muhaisna area).
Dr Munir Hamad, member of the activities committee at Dubai Municipality Clinic, said the medical check-ups and medicines cover a number of ailments including diabetes, cholesterol, and osteoporosis.
The tent at Al Twar 2 is open from 9.30-12.30pm and can accommodate up to 8,000 people. It will dispense free medical services until August 20.
The temporary medical centre at Sonapur will offer medical check-ups from Tuesday through to August 4. It will be open from 4-8pm and can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
“The tents offer iftar, in addition to the examinations that are carried out by a number of medical companies. We offer such free services during campaigns that are carried out during the year, but this is the first time that we are doing it in Ramadan with the collaboration with DTCM,” Dr Hamad said.
“Any examination carried out in the tents is free, and we will also give away blood glucose monitors to visitors if we diagnose them with diabetes. If people need further consultation, they can receive up to 50 per cent discount at any branch of our participants,” he emphasised.
He pointed out that the tent in Al Twar has a separate section for women.
Nasser Juma Bin Sulaiman, events supervisor at the Ramadan Forum of DTCM, said people willing to donate medicines were welcome at the tents. He said any such donations would be prescribed to low-income workers visiting the tents.
“Such kind gestures are good for the workers’ health, particularly those with chronic diseases or those who were recently subjected to surgeries, suffer from eye and spine disorders, and hepatitis,” he added.
