by Biju Antony
KUWAIT, OCT 24, 2017: The Malayalam Community Parish Commission comprising the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites of the St. Therese of 
Child Jesus parish in Kuwait helped the unprivileged expatriates of the country by organising a free medical camp – for the second year in a row - at Don Bosco School on October 13.
The camp began with a prayer led by by Sabu Kurian. Kuruvila Thomas welcomed the guests and the patients. This was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by Father Derik Misquitta, Father Johnson Nedumpurath, assistant parish priest and in-charge of Malayalam community, Doctor Sebastian Mathew and Jacob Cherian. Doctor Mathew delivered a short presentation and interactive session on Diabetic Retinopathy.
A medical team comprising Doctor Mathew, Doctor Merley Elizabeth George, Doctor Divya Jayesh, Doctor Veena Muraleedharan, Doctor Sujatha Krishnakumar from Al-Bahar Ophthalmology Center, Ministry of Health and Doctor Anitha Prabhakaran from KOC hospital and around 20 nurses attended to the patients.
Registration for the camp began three weeks prior and over 150 people availed of the medical facilities. For many, it was their first eye examination ever; for a few others, it was their first after almost 10 or 20 years.
"Ten per cent of the cases we saw were identified as diabetic and so referrals and advice was provided. Of them, three cases were highly diabetic, needing immediate medical care. Interestingly, around 90% of those tested were found to have high blood sugar, indicating that their current treatment is not effective. Increased awareness and motivation is required for such cases," Doctor Mathew, said.
Sister Lini Sajan, the Nurses Ministry coordinator said, "It was a remarkable day. Many nurses have come directly after their night duty because it gave us the opportunity to extend our humble service to the needy people and thereby glorify God as Matthew 25:10 says 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me'."
Erik Fernandez, a beneficiary said, "This has been very helpful for people like me. Each of us was treated and cared for with love. I sincerely thank the Malayalam community for this wonderful service for the deprived people." 
The medical camp coordinator, Jose Joel explained, "The reason the camp was successful was the sincere team work of all those involved. Last year the medical camp was conducted for women having Gynecological problems as part of the Year of Mercy. This same spirit of mercy still inspires us to continue it this year in another field of specialisation, Diabetic Retinopathy. By God's grace we wish to continue next year also in another medical stream."
Forty dedicated volunteers worked very hard on mobilisation, registration, finance, arranging doctors and medical equipment, food, logistics, transportation and venue arrangements for the success of the medical camp. The event began at 10 am and ended at 3 pm with a vote of thanks by Father Nedumpurath, who thanked all team members for their dedicated service and invoked God's blessings on each member and their families.