of-its kind health awareness drive was launched by the Filipino community in the Eastern Province. It was led by Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor in cooperation with Mohammed Dossary Hospital in Al-Khobar. Around 700 Filipinos and their families registered for medical examinations, including those for blood pressure, blood sugar and dental check-ups. “Health awareness is very important as your health is the key to your future and family,” Villamor told the Filipino community. Also present were labor attaché David Des T. Dicang and director general of Mohammad Dossary Hospital, Abdul Fettah Ennayal. The hospital's doctors and nurses participated in the health drive. Spearheading the health awareness campaign was the Overseas Filipino Workers Congress-Eastern Province (OFWC-EP), an organization of Filipino workers providing support programs to Filipinos and accredited community partner of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Peter Marfa, president of OFWC-EP, appreciated the Filipino community for encouraging the mission and thanked Mohammad Dossary Hospital for hosting the event. Ennayal said the health awareness campaign will be held regularly in cooperation with the hospital. Every year, around 400 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia succumb to injuries from vehicular accidents and due to other ailments such as heart attack and diabetes, mainly caused due to lifestyle-related factors such as lack of exercise, over-indulgence in food, etc. Foreign workers in the Kingdom are provided with free medical insurance. However, many, including Filipinos, are not health-conscious and generally lack healthy lifestyle awareness. __
