Mangalore Cultural Association holds its first medical health camp

Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), Doha, hosted its first medical health camp in collaboration with Wellkins Medical Centre, Qatar.

Considering the busy lifestyles of people, stressful work environments and a general tendency to ignore one’s health, MCA initiated the idea of hosting the medical camp, which was open to all. The free health check-up involved body mass index (BMI) calculation, blood pressure check, blood sugar test, HbA1c, lipid profile test, thyroid test as well as general medicine, dental, gynaecology consultation. The medical camp commenced at 7am on August 26 and continued until noon with 213 participants.A brief official programme was conducted at the health centre by Jovita Pereira. MCA president Aloysius DSouza welcomed all the participants. A memento and a plant were presented to Dr Sameer Moopan, chairman and managing director of Wellkins, as a token of gratitude by advisory member Wilfred Fernandes. Dr Moopen said he has a special affinity towards Mangalore as his medical journey began, 33 years ago, at Kasturba Medical College. Nikhil Joseph, chief operating officer of Wellkins, briefed the gathering on the various healthcare services offered at Wellkins. Joseph had been the point of contact from the planning stages of the medical camp.Dr Jacob Neil, specialist, internal medicine, and medical director at Wellkins, gave an informative talk on diabetes awareness. It served as a wake-up call for all to change their mindsets and lifestyle towards eating and preparing meals. In attendance were Subramanya Hebbagelu, vice-president of the Indian Cultural Centre; and Vinod Nair, president of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum, who also briefly addressed the gathering. Also present were the presidents and past presidents of various Karnataka associations.Sandeep Noronha, vice-president of MCA, proposed the vote of thanks. In a statement, MCA said it was grateful to Dr Moopan, Joseph, the Wellkins staff, doctors and nurses for facilitating the camp. "We also appreciate the volunteers and nurses for their time and contribution for the camp. The organisers received positive comments on the excellent execution of the camp," it added.