iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Flagship carriers Emirates and Etihad have issued a statement as some flights in Munich were either cancelled or diverted
KT APPDOWNLOAD
A perfect gift for Sonapur workers
DUBAI - An hour before Iftar, Adil Naveed patiently stood in a queue outside a makeshift tent at the workers’ accommodation clusters in Sonapur, Muhaisnah. It’s near the end of a 15-hour fast and Naveed, a Pakistani, along with several thousand other workers belonging to different nationalities begin their wait outside a tent for a free medical checkup before breaking their fast.
Most workers in the tent face general ailments like joint pain, skin diseases, diabetes, and tiredness. “I’ve been suffering from tiredness and a bad backache. Considering my work timings and Ramadan, I do not have the time to go to a doctor. This programme has been very helpful,” said Naveed.
Organised by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the Sonapur Ramadan tent has been an annual event for the last 11 years. This year, the activities began on July 28. Taking into account the growing incidence of diseases among workers in the UAE, free medical checkups are also being organised this year. Apart from the checkup, about 2,500 to 3,000 workers are given Iftar and other amenities everyday. The tent opens at 4pm and activities come to an end after Iftar.
Free Islamic lectures and programmes in Urdu, Malayalam and English are also organised in the tent. This year, the DTCM is working closely with medics in Dubai Municipality and other government and private organisations like Prime Medical Centre for free basic medical checkups for the workers.
Anti-smoking campaigns are also being conducted.
Apart from doctors, paramedics and lab technicians are also present at the tent in case of emergencies caused by exhaustion.
Speaking about the initiative, Nasser Juma bin Sulaiman, Director of the Diving Village and Events In-charge at the DTCM, said: “We provide them with a basic Iftar package consisting of water, dates, laban, and an apple. It is nice to see workers motivated after they hear the Islamic speeches.”
He added that the DTCM provides the workers with gifts and prizes as well. Similar activities are also conducted in workers’ housing colonies in Al Twar, Dubai.
Joint pain, weakness common
Dr Munir Hamad of the Dubai Municipality Clinic was seen performing routine checkups on the workers. He said: “We check for blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, eyes, teeth and mouth. The most common ailment that most workers approach us with is skin diseases caused by unhygienic living conditions.”
Officials said 20 per cent of these workers have skin problems or dermatitis.
They said 43 per cent of them suffer from joint pains and orthopaedic problems, while 30 per cent complain of general weakness and eight per cent have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Dr Hamad pointed out that several cases of bacterial and viral skin diseases and Hepatitis A were also reported. Several workers came to the tent complaining of blisters in their hands caused by continuous exposure to the sun.
Construction site worker and Bangladeshi national Imran (20) walked in with severe blisters and burns on his hands. “This is a good programme. I could not work with these blisters. I came here and took medicines and now it is getting much better,” he said.
Joint pains, high blood pressure, hypertension, skin rashes and dizziness were common complaints. Dr Hamad added: “We are urging companies to provide the workers with one nutritious meal a day, instead of giving them money for the same. We provide them with free medicines as well.”
Free drugs like Reparin Gel (for joint pains) and Echinacin (for immunity) are distributed among the workers. For those who were found to be suffering from diabetes, a free blood glucose testing machine was given.
Workers who suffer from chronic disease are referred for further investigation, added Dr Hamad.
More news from
The adjustment applies to a section of the road extending from Ras Al Khor Road to Sharjah in both directions
The actor had been depressed over the past couple of days, his father told the police
Some will go on cruise and take a trip abroad, while others will stay home and pick up new skills
Several activities are also lined up throughout the day, from art and drawing workshops to origami-making sessions
Brazilian Fabio Lima strikes twice in Dubai club's emphatic 4-0 victory at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Jon Rahm, Wyndham Clark, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were among the stars packing their golf bags and leaving the famed Kentucky course after a testing second round on Friday
The breach occurred during one of the busiest travel periods for the airport in southern Germany