The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), supported by the Indian embassy in Qatar, held its 56th Free Medical Camp on October 16 at Naseem Surgical & Medical Centre, located on C Ring Road, Doha. The camp provided complimentary medical consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines to over 600 members of the Indian expatriate community, with a particular focus on blue-collar workers.
Medical specialists offered consultations across several disciplines including General Medicine, Urology, Cardiology, General Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), and Dental Care. Attendees also received free basic diagnostic screenings such as Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Body Mass Index (BMI), Total Cholesterol, Complete Blood Count (CBC), and Uric Acid tests. Medicines were dispensed free of cost through collaboration with the Indian Pharmacists Association Qatar (IPhA-Q).
The event was inaugurated by Harish Pandey, the first secretary at the Indian embassy and ICBF coordinating officer, who emphasized the importance of such initiatives in delivering essential healthcare services to underprivileged members of the community. Prathima Reddy, wife of Srikar Reddy, also participated in the official opening.
Deepak Shetty, general secretary of ICBF, served as master of ceremonies and recounted the organisation’s ongoing efforts to assist the Indian community through free medical camps and other welfare programs, noting the managing committee’s organization of six such camps thus far. ICBF president Shanavas Bava discussed the broader outreach activities of the forum, underscoring its commitment to healthcare support, humanitarian aid, and social welfare for underprivileged Indian nationals in Qatar.
Althaf Hussain, head of operations at Naseem Surgical & Medical Centre, expressed appreciation for ICBF’s selection of the centre as a venue and highlighted the centre’s engagement in corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at supporting community welfare.
Speeches were also delivered by ICBF advisory board chairman K S Prasad and Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) vice-president Shantanu Deshpande, both acknowledging the forum’s persistent efforts to serve the expatriate community.
The camp’s coordination was managed by ICBF vice-president Rasheed Ahemed, secretary Jafar Thayyil, and committee members Mani Bharathi, Irfan Ansari, Amar Veer Singh, Srinakar Goud, Khaja Nizamudeen, and Neelambari S. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mini Siby, managing committee member in charge of the medical wing.
The gathering included various dignitaries and community leaders such as advisory committee member Satheesh V, former ICBF president Abdul Khader, ICC managing committee member Ravindra Prasad, Indian Sports Centre vice-president Sithendu Pal, along with representatives of embassy-affiliated organisations and officials from Naseem Surgical & Medical Centre. The event concluded with ICBF president Shanavas Bava presenting bouquets to the distinguished guests.