HMC medical staff conducting examinations on visitors at the City Center polyclinic yesterday. RIGHT: A booth explaining the proper method of providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to a person suffering from cardiac arrest.Kammutty VP
By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: A high number of visitors to the Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) temporary polyclinic at the City Center have been referred to cardiology specialists at primary healthcare centres.
The polyclinic being held for the past two weeks as part of the ‘Kulluna for a Healthy Heart’ campaign, has referred 3,500 people for further treatment, according to campaign Chairman Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen.
Over 55,000 tests for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, ECO cardiogram and EGC have been done at the polyclinic set up to provide advice and check-ups related to cardiovascular diseases. Many visitors were found to be suffering from hypertension or overweight.
“We receive an average of 1,000 visitors; tests for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, ECO cardiogram and EGC are done,” Dr Saifeldeen told a press conference at the polyclinic yesterday.
About 30 to 40 percent of visitors to the polyclinic are workers and a majority of them have been diagnosed with hypertension due to being overweight and their lifestyle.
Also, 30 percent of visitors between 25 and 45 years were found to be suffering from hypertension. “Hypertension is highly preventable. But if it’s not controlled, it can lead to sudden death. It’s a silent killer,” said Dr Saifeldeen.
Around 25 to 30 percent visitors were found to be having high cholesterol, while 50 percent were found to be overweight.
Moreover, 3,500 people have attended the booth which helps quit smoking, and another 3,500 have sought advice on how to follow a healthy diet.
Besides, about 2,000 people have learnt how to provide first aid to someone suffering from a heart attack or a cardic arrest.
“This means they can save 2,000 lives,” said Dr Saifeldeen.
The polyclinic promoting cardiac health and combating heart disease will run until June 28.
The next phase of Kulluna safety campaign will be on the advantages of fasting and how to beat the heat.
Special awareness programmes will be held for workers on how to protect oneself from the heat.
Launched in 2012, Kulluna is a five-year national campaign to improve health and safety in Qatar.
It is sponsored by ConocoPhillips.
The first part of the campaign, ‘Keep Us Safe’ was dedicated to children’s safety.
The Peninsula.
