The Pakistan Medical Centre in Dubai has helped thousands of patients by offering free medical care.
Nearly 2,500 people have visited the centre since it opened in October 2020. The majority received free help while others were given a discount, said Dr Nasim Sabir, the centre's medical director.
The Dh20 million non-profit healthcare centre is overseen by the Pakistan Association Dubai and is open to all.
Shagufta Nasreen, 39, a single mother in Dubai, sought help from the facility for her son Ghazi, 14, who has type 1 diabetes.
He received free examinations and the centre now delivers medicine and insulin to his home.
“It was really difficult to afford all of this on my own,” said Ms Nasreen, who earns about Dh700 a month from a small catering business she runs from her home.
“The cost of all of the tests, medicine and insulin was coming to thousands of dirhams. I don’t even earn Dh1,000 per month; how would we afford to cover those costs? We’re very thankful to the Pakistan Medical Centre for helping us.”
Dubai resident Nighat Farooqi, 65, also approached the centre.
Suffering from osteoarthritis and thyroid problems, Ms Farooqi had several check-ups and tests, and was given medicine, including an injection she has to take every six months.
“I have unbearable pain because of the osteoarthritis. It causes so much pain in my bones and muscles, it’s difficult to move,” she said.
Ms Farooqi – a widow – moved to the UAE 40 years ago.
She worked as a teacher for several decades before retiring. Her daughter supported her, but she lost her job in the aviation sector less than a year ago.
“We manage to arrange money for food somehow, but the rest is incredibly difficult,” Ms Farooqi said.
The centre is supported by individuals and the Community Development Authority in Dubai.
It has also partnered with private hospitals, such as Mediclinic Middle East and American Hospital.
"Pakistan Medical Centre is a multi-speciality polyclinic offering services [such as] paediatrics, dental, women's health, cardiology, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, among many others," Dr Sabir said.
“We also educate our patients and advise them on managing their lifestyle and preventing disease.”
The centre treats patients with acute and chronic medical problems and provides referrals for those who need further treatment.
“Patients who are unable [to pay] are given free treatment and there is no discrimination,” said Dr Sabir, who is a pathologist and microbiologist.
“We have a very transparent welfare process and a welfare officer is on our premises at all times who evaluates the patient's financial status and provides support.
“The decisions are made solely on humanitarian grounds and we ensure no deserving patient is turned away. The project is a model of tolerance from the Pakistani community and is in line with the vision of the UAE government of tolerance and inclusion.”
Located in Oud Mehta, the centre can be reached on 04 337 3632.
Makeup artist gives UAE's frontline workers a free makeover – in pictures
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What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Scorline
Iraq 1-0 UAE
Iraq Hussein 28’
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
