Some 100 Indian fishermen and workers in allied fishing industry were given free medical checkup this week at the Badr Al Rabie Dispensary here. The free medical outreach program was organized by Navodaya, a cultural and welfare organization of Indian community in Eastern Province. Many of the fishermen who availed the free medical checkup said their sponsors have not been providing them with medical support, or had them enrolled in the compulsory medical insurance program of the government. Hassan Kutty, a fish cleaner at Qatif fish market for the last six years, said he had not been properly medically examined because his sponsor rarely gets in touch with him. He sees his sponsor only once a month when he comes to collect the SR300 sponsorship fee. “My sponsor has more than 10 people like me who are paying sponsorship fees. Whenever we are sick, we go to clinics spending our own money; no insurance or no medical facility for us,” he said. Samual Kutty, another fish worker for the last 8 years, said his sponsor is only interested in getting his monthly SR250 sponsorship fees. He said the sponsor does not care about his medical needs. Sajikumar, 29, who works in a farm in Saihat, said he is happy to learn of the free medical aid. “This checkup is the only one for me in many years because my sponsor does not care about my medical needs. I cannot afford to visit doctor and purchase medicine from my salary; and my sponsor will not give anything for my illness. Whenever I fall sick I visit nearby pharmacy to get some low cost medicines,” he told Saudi Gazette. Rahmathulla, a diabetic, said he could not afford the high cost of medical fees and medicines. “My salary is SR600 and from that I have to pay every month sponsorship charges of SR200 to my kafeel and another SR200 for my room rent and food expenses. The remaining SR200 is sent to my family. My sponsor does not care. Most of the time I do not have money to purchase my diabetics tablets; sometimes I skip taking medicines and would ask my friends to take me to a small clinic.” He said the free medical event is an opportunity for him to get a final status of his sugar problem. Doctors at the Badr Al Rabie Dispensary discovered ailments such as high sugar and high blood pressures, in most of the Indian workers, according to Shafi, administrator of the hospital and co-organizer of the free medical event. The medical practitioners who supported the event were Dr. Rajeevan (Internist), Dr. Biju (Internist), Dr. Jyothi (ENT specialist). Dr. Akbar (Pediatrician), Dr. Mathukar (Pathologist), Dr. Prince Mathew (Orthopedic), Dr. Dona (G.P), Dr. Madhusoodhanan (GP), Dr. Athar Rahman (GP), Dr. Shanawaz, Dr. Mansoor and Dr. Moni (Dentists). __
