Charity in UAE lends a hand to cash-strapped patients

Dubai: After Pankash* was injured at work in an incident that left him in a coma for several weeks, his family were left with nothing as he had been the sole breadwinner, who dutifully sent money home every month.

When Maher* suffered a stroke which left him completely paralysed, he had no money to pay for his treatment.

Good Samaritan Charity volunteers came across them in hospital and took them under their wing, paying for their treatment and forking out the money to send Maher home to India. Today, they continue to support him financially.

Thanks to an organised web of donors, volunteers and the medical staff of Dubai's public hospitals, these men were able to receive help through the efforts of one man who pooled donors together.

Sunil John Korah, an Indian based in Dubai since 1994 started Good Samaritan Charity Services in 2006. Together with a couple of friends, they set up the charity to reach out to people who have nobody to turn to.

Their aim is to group together volunteers and visit public hospitals to offer support to patients. Support comes in many forms, from financial aid to repatriation, or just someone to talk to.

Some patients that Korah visits every Saturday afternoon are the sole breadwinners for their family, sending back their salaries to the Philippines, India, Pakistan or Bangladesh every month.

'Genuine cases'

"It is mainly Asians we have helped because those are the people we have come across needing our help. By collaborating with nurses and doctors at the hospitals we are put in touch with genuine cases," said Korah.

They have helped over 15 people to date.

"This is part of our service to our fellow men. We want to help others and practice what we preach," Korah told Gulf News. "You only really get an idea of what needs to be done when you are in the field, talking to people and realising how many need help," he said.

"Initially it was quite tough to get sponsors but we try and rally around and send emails and updates on what is needed. Through the staff at the hospitals we are able to know what the situation is like and which patients cannot pay their medical bills."

And that is where the stories unravel, revealing families needing support home or sometimes someone who is completely alone.

At the moment there is small team of 25 people volunteering their Saturdays to visit patients in hospitals.

The charity is also looking for more volunteers.

*Names have been changed