Mission possible
A medical director talks about the joys of helping disadvantaged single-parent families.
Athallah Habib, Director of Al Ihsaan Medical Complex, Karama, Ajman, which helps and treats disadvantaged single-parent families.
His words:
At that point, taking the seat as the deputy director of Ihsaan Charity Centre [in Ajman] was more of an obligation than a commitment.
This was in June 2000 – then the organisation was merely a two-room institution where a handful of single-mother families came for support.
Thus, charity was close to my heart. Also, being a Muslim, from a young age I had seen the practice of Zakat alms giving in Ramadan and Sadaqah charity.
While in the US, I participated in fundraising activities of Islamic bodies during Ramadan. .
When I returned to the UAE from the US to work as deputy director, I was initially quite reserved.
However, the looks of gratitude [from the people who came to the charity centre] gave me the push I required.
Soon, I used my experience with charities abroad to get things organised and running at our centre. I am now director of the Medical Complex.
Charity is not just about money. People can be donors not just by parting with their wealth. They can contribute to the needy by giving their used clothing, furniture, crockery, appliances.
It is important for people to understand that a charity trust is not a junkyard – please give what is usable, not what has lost its value.
Charity is a means to give the society a civilised front. It is a responsible individual's effort to curb violence, prevent crime and exploitation.
Giving more than aid is the idea behind the Ihsaan Medical Complex. Health is wealth. A person who is fit is better than one who is sick.
People can support us in various ways. We accept usable medications. Medical professionals can provide their time and expertise to see patients or assist us in setting up the finer requirements of the centre.
Companies with more than 100 employees can contact us to do periodic health checks for their staff.
Soon Ihsaan Medical Complex will serve as a link between doctors and poor patients in need of major surgery.
Through us, the costs of the treatment will be sponsored so that much-needed medical aid is received in time and lives are saved.
Individuals interested in helping can write to alihsaanmedical@hotmail.com.
