Indian community in RAK to launch suicide prevention hotline

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Indian community in RAK to launch suicide prevention hotline

Ras Al Khaimah - "A toll-free hotline for distress calls will be announced soon."

Published: Wed 19 Dec 2018, 2:20 PM

Last updated: Thu 20 Dec 2018, 12:26 PM

Alarmed over recent suspected suicide cases, the Indian community in Ras Al Khaimah sprang into action by forming a team of social workers whom people in distress can talk to for help and counsel.
Speaking to Khaleej times, social worker Prasad Sreedharan said the Indian Relief Committee (IRS) in the emirate is forming a special disaster team that is tasked to lend an ear and a helping hand to people who needed them most.
"A toll-free hotline for distress calls will be announced soon and a dedicated team will handle the issues and help people find solutions to their problems," Sreedharan said.
The committee's lines will be open round the clock and anyone in distress may call the team anytime, he added.

Year-long medical camp

Besides the emergency hotline project, IRS is also gearing up for a year-long free medical camp, which will kick off on Friday at New Indian School in Al Mamoorah, Sreedharan said.
The camp aims to offer free healthcare services and medicines to those who cannot afford them, he said.
"The event is to be held under the patronage of the Consulate-General of India in Dubai, in association with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Public Works in RAK, Association of All Kerala Medical Graduates, RAK Hospital, Julphar pharmaceutical company and many other civil society partners."
Around 25 groups, along with social workers in Ras Al Khaimah, are part of the camp's organising committee, Sreedharan said.
"More than 20 general practitioners, 30 specialists, 20 consultants and 150 paramedics will work together for the success of the camp," he said. "It will start at 8am and registration will continue till 3pm."
The camp is open to all nationalities and free for everyone, Sreedharan added. It will be inaugurated by Neeraj Agarwal, head of chancery from the Consulate-General of India in Dubai, and MoH officials on Friday.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com