A group of Indian doctors who are from the UAE-based and related with the Association of Kerala Medical and Dental Graduates (AKMG) are helping the COVID-19 patients and alerting multitudes about coronavirus but they have been a support to those who are bearing the impact of the crisis.

The association was launched in 2003 under Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and MD, Aster Healthcare, and has grown from 300 physicians and dentists to 1,400 registered members in serving different healthcare groups and clinics throughout the UAE. The COVID-19 initiatives carried by AKMG Emirates have spread through the seven emirates. They are carried out in coordination with the Indian missions, Norka-Roots, media outlets, social and cultural associations.

Dr George Jacob, the president of AKMG Emirates said that in February and March, they started with tele-counselling in coordination with Norka-Roots. They have more than 70 specialists who are working 24 hours and seven days a week. They receive 40 to 45 phone calls daily from people who were anxious about COVID-19. They have been distributing food packs with essentials and medical kits to the needy.

The group has also provided free air tickets of Vande Bharat Mission to more than 100 people. Dr Jacob, Dermatologist at Corniche Medical Centre, Ras Al Khaimah said that they had also offered free tickets to people based on the list that is provided by the Indian embassy and the Consulate. They have a 20-member committee to finalizea list of people with preference given to people in financial and medical needs.

Dr Sughu Malayil Koshy, Secretary General of AKMG Emirates, and other eminent doctors were on frontline duties for COVID-19. The group has helped in detecting available beds at hospitals and also getting the needy admitted via a network of coordination through the seven emirates from March to June.

Dr Anas A Majeed, Neurologist from Umm Al Quwain said that these initiatives are part of their social commitment to do as much as possible for them.

The group of doctors were also involved in providing service during floods in Kerala and had facilitated 75 surgeries in the UAE and Kerala as part of the programme Save a Heart.

Thus, Indian doctors in UAE are sponsoring air tickets of return flights, giving treatment to COVID-19 infected, directing awareness initiatives and counselling sessions, and also supporting the blue-collar workers who are jobless due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Khaleej Times