Ref: AF/PR/2014/21
During the recent visit to India, the Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and the Office Bearers paid visits to several hospitals and medical institutes where they met with the officials and doctors. It was an opportunity also during the visit to appreciate on behalf of the Central Health Board (CHB) the doctors in recognition of their various services and support they have rendered to our community members in India and at the medical camps held in E. Africa and in Antananarivo, Madagascar in the recent years. These camps were organized by CHB in collaboration with the Constituent Jamaats under AFED and the Conseil Regional of Madagascar. The AFED Chairman commented – “I am pleased to witness that the Central Health Board of the Africa Federation have recognized the doctors for their countless services, it behooves upon the Institution like ours to recognize and appreciate them, this is also in following the Islamic teachings – to appreciate and thank fellow human beings”
The Chairman of the Central Health Board (CHB), Br. Shabbir Kermalli was unfortunately unable to join on this visit as he travelled to Iraq for Ziyarat.
After the WF EXCO Meeting in Mumbai which ended on 5th January, 2014, the AFED Chairman, accompanied by the Hon. Treasurer, Mohamed Hemani, the Hon. Secretary, Aunali Khalfan and AFTAB Chairman, Seyed Hassan Naqvi travelled to Chennai and Ahmedabad for visits to hospitals and medical institutions. The Vice Chairmen, Shabir Najafi and Navazaly Molou and the Asst. Hon. Secretary, Kumail Manji were unable to join the delegation as they had to return home for other commitments.
The first stop over on 8th January, 2014 after Mumbai was to the Madras Medical Mission (MMM) and Institution of Cardio Vascular Diseases. The Institute recently expanded its facilities adding a new wing with a State-of-the-art 64 slice CT scanner equipment with latest technology. Most of the CHB heart patients are referred to this Institute in Chennai with whom CHB have long established working relationship, going back to about 20 years.
CHB also refers patients who suffer from kidney diseases to Institute of Liver, Digestive Diseases, Kidney and Organ Transplantation at MMM new facilities.
The AFED delegation while in Chennai also met with a patient from Mwanza who was undergoing treatment at MMM for kidney failure. They also visited a patient from Dar es Salaam in Ahmedabad who had undergone surgery at Parekhs Hospital; and was recovering after the surgery. The delegation observed good improvements in Ahmedabad medical facilities.
It was pleasing to note that the Central Health Board has established good working relationships with several hospitals in Ahmedabad, Gujarat District of India. One of them is Parekhs Hospital. They are specialized in Joint Replacement (Orthopedics) and GI Surgery (Bariatric – Obesity Reduction), CHB has been working closely with Parekhs for the past many years and refers many cases of Knee replacements (TKR), and bone related problems to Parekhs Hospital in Ahmedabad, with good results.
Hospitals in Ahmedabad:
CHB for the past 10 years have focused mainly to Chennai (Madras) and Ahmedabad for medical treatment of our patients from various Jamaats in Africa, CHB have established close working relationships with the following hospitals in Ahmedabad, they are:-
- Shalby Hospitals
- Sterling Hospital
- Parekhs Hospital
- SAL Hospital, and
- Apollo Hospital
Accommodation:
The Kalupoor Musafirkhana of KSI Jamaat of Ahmedabad is located in a busy area of Ahmedabad, it has recently been renovated, but the big setback is the congestion of the area where it is located and the difficulty to commute and accessibility by taxi to Musafirkhana, unless one uses Rickshaw, for some patients it is not advisable.
However, there are several reasonable priced hotels centrally located belonging to our community members and others. Normally, hotel tariffs differ due to locations, type and amenities they offer. For more details, please contact the CHB Admin Secretary at the Africa Federation Secretariat. (Email: healthadmin@africafederation.org).
Volunteers/Local Assistance:
A meeting with Alhaj Muhsin Dosani (He is the brother of late Chottu Bhai Dosani and the present President of the KSI Sarkhej Jamaat of Ahmedabad, Alhaj Nasir Dosani) was held during the visit and was attended by the AFED Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Vice Chairman of Sarkhej Jamaat, Sajjad Ghoghai.
A group of Volunteers of the Sarkhej Jamaat have come forward with a kind offer to assist our patients who go to Ahmedabad for medical treatment. The Volunteers group is known by the name of Hussainy Health Care. A meeting was held with them and various issues and challenges facing our patients in Ahmedabad were discussed, they offered to assist the CHB voluntarily, and willing to setup the following services for CHB:-
- Establishing effective communication system with the CHB Administration in Dar es Salaam.
- Appointing a local Doctor (GP) for initial consultation/preliminary investigations and to provide guidance to the patients visiting Ahmedabad.
- Arrangements/Appointments with Specialists and Hospitals.
- Local Transport by appointing a cab owner who will charge reasonable charges.
- Free Emergency Ambulance Services from Airport to Hospital for admission.
- Arranging suitable accommodation like hotel, apartment or Musafirkhana, depending upon the budget of the patient, obtaining concessions.
- Will provide temporary local SIM card for the telephone.
- Visiting the patients at the hospital, hotels, Musafirkhana etc. to check on the conditions and other needs.
The AFED Chairman said that AFED will be looking into the proposal to provide a Musafirkhana, especially for our patients and their families from Africa who are presently facing some problems due to various factors and remoteness of Kalupoor Musafirkhana. He however pointed out that this is a long-term plan, and the proposal will have to go through the normal process of AFED, also will depend upon availability of funds.
Following are some photographs taken during the dinner meeting on Sunday, 12th January, 2014 with the Hussainy Health Care Volunteers, whose head is Br. Ali Hasnain Dosani 3rd from right), son of Alhaj Muhsin Dosani of Ahmedabad.
On behalf of the Central Health Board (CHB) of the Africa Federation, we take this opportunity to thank the KSI Sarkhej Jamaat of Ahmedabad for their cooperation, and support provided to our patients who visit Ahmedabad for medical treatment.
We are also thankful to the Hussainy Health Care Volunteers of Ahmedabad for their offer to assist our patients.
Our sincere appreciation to the Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and the AFED Office Bearers for sparing their valuable time and to visit the hospitals and medical institutions in Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, inspite of their busy schedule.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to reward amply all those involved in assisting the Central Health Board (CHB) and our patients all the time. We pray for their good health, longevity of life and success in their endeavors, Ameen.
Administrative Secretary
Central Health Board (CHB) of Africa Federation