October 2000 

Tonight, I can write the saddest lines ……
write for example,
“The night is shatteredand the blue stars shiver in the distance”. But instead,
suffice to say Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Illaihe Rajeoon

In the history of our community, no one man has done so much – 
for so many –
with so little

This report is an account of our activities during the last 3 years. It should be read with reference to our previous reports which encompasses our activities from 1979 onwards.


Our Address:  

The Medical Advisory Board as other boards is an establishment of the World Federation. The chairman is appointed by the President.

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

1) Help to Patients.

2) Help to health care professionals.

3) Help to the community – Screening, Haj Medical Mission.

4) Help to slum dwellers, poor and refugees.

5) Help to sister organisations.

6) Health Education.

Suggested Functions:

1) Liaise with Medical Advisory Board.
2) Provide medical care for the community.
3) Arrange medical screening.
4) Provide clinics/hospitals where needed.
5) Provide health education for the community.


1) HELP TO PATIENTS

Our services to patients from various countries for specialised treatment continue as before. Most patients are self financed but World Federation finances a large number of patients. The amount spent is often quite big e.g. over £ 20,000 per patient in some cases. As the work of Medical Advisory Board becomes known to more and more people, the number of cases referred to us increase hence more and more finance is required. Lack of funds has deprived a number of patients.


Special features:

a) Best medical advice and appointment with UK’s top consultants.
b) Speedy appointments.
c) Low charges and discounts.
d) Free medical assessment and cover out of hospital. 
e) Regular friendly and helpful visits by volunteers.
f) Appointment letters for immigration, visa and foreign exchange purposes.
g) Cheap medicines.
h) Cheap accommodation and transportation in Birmingham. 


Administrative charge - £60 per person

1999    Total number of patients treated in Birmingham     = 230

1999    Total number of patients treated in London                      =   10

2) HELP TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Advice, Support and finance. From time to time, the Medical Advisory Board receives requests from doctors abroad for advice on postgraduate medical education in the West. It tries to advise them as best it can. In some cases, it gives grants or interest free loans. It has a supply of the following booklets:

1. A Guide to the Medical System in Britain - It describes in detail step by step procedure to follow for doctors wishing to come to UK for postgraduate education. 

2. Employment of Overseas Doctors and Dentists in the UK - It describes in detail the immigration and entry requirements for doctors and dentists wishing to come to UK for postgraduate education. 

3. Medical Specialities - It describes the specialities in which postgraduate education is available. 

4. Overseas Doctors Training Scheme. 

5. MRCP (UK) - Examination regulations and information for candidates.

6. Implementing the reforms to specialist medical training.

7. National advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (NACPME) - General information.

8. Opportunities for Clinical Training in the UK.

9. Doctors & Dentists – Information leaflet.

10. Post Graduate Medical School – Information Pack

11. Guide for Doctors new to the UK – Information Pack.

12. PLAB Test Starts in Pakistan – Information leaflet.

They are available free of charge from Medical Advisory Board secretariat.



3) HELP TO THE COMMUNITY 

3.1) SCREENING

The Medical Advisory Board of the World Federation has been conducting medical screening programs in most of the Jamaats in UK over the last three years. These are:

Birmingham, Essex, Hyderi, Leeds, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Stanmore,
Watford and Wessex

What is checked?

Height & Weight to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index)
if less than 25 - Normal
more than 25 - Over weight
more than 30 - Obese

Urine Test for Glucose and Protein
Medical Examination 
Blood Pressure Measurements
Blood Cholesterol Test
Blood Glucose Levels
Dental Examination
Optical Examination including Glaucoma Test
For women Breast Examination and advise on Smear Test
Thalassaemia Test


NEW: Psychological Screening

Each person is given a summary of the psychological assessment and advice on further action. 


RESULTS

From the findings of these numerous screening programmes, we would like to draw the attention of the community to the following issues:

●Obesity
●Rich Diet and High Cholesterol content
●Lack of Exercise
●High Level of Smoking
●High level of Stress
●Poor up take of Smear and Breast Examinations in our ladies
●Poor Eye and Dental check-up uptake
●High incidence of Thalassaemia carrier rate - see health education articles by 
  Medical Advisory Board.
●High rate of psychological problems which go undetected.
                                                                                                  

The results from these Jamaats have been collected and it has highlighted some interesting points:-

1.       The major cause of concern for all our Jamaats is obesity which affects most of those screened.  When this is correlated with the incidence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels it can lead to angina and heart attacks. Greater emphasis has to be put on dietary advice and lifestyle including exercise to reduce this major problem affecting our community.

2.       Although there is more awareness on the possible risks associated with smoking either actively or passively, we still have to emphasis this point to our adults and in particular the youngsters, since between 10-30% of males screened actively participated in smoking.  The risk of heart disease and lung cancer is greatly increased by smoking.

3.2) HAJ MEDICAL MISSION

Our Team (from left) Dr Abbas Vakil,  Dr Akber Mithani, Dr Gulamabbas Rajpar  and Mr Aliasgar Rajbhai – Haj 2000	Our base in Makkah

For 16 consecutive years (1977 – 1992), The World Federation sent a team of doctors, aalim and administrator to Haj to serve the sick. When it was felt that the community had now become self sufficient, the mission was stopped. However, there was universal pressure to re-start the mission.

On 3rd October 1998, the Executive Council of The World Federation decided to organize a survey to ascertain the health needs of the community worldwide during Haj. Dr Walji did the survey and presented his detailed report to the Executive Council on 10th July 1999. He recommended that The World Federation should send a doctor and/or administrator from its secretariat to help with and co-ordinate doctors accompanying different groups and also assist such group/groups which may not have accompanying doctors or medical supplies. This should be for a few years until it is no longer needed. This was approved.

So, this year saw re-launch of Haj Medical Mission. 

Our base in Jarwal in Makkah served Hujjaj from groups which did not have their own doctor and the base in Misfillah served groups from India. A large stock of medicines were made available to the team and given to patients free of charge.

Medicines acquired in Makkah for the  Haj Medical Mission	Dr Akber Mithani treating a patient in Makkah

Over 800 patients were treated in both bases. Very serious patients with life threatening conditions attended the clinics. Patients were given prompt attention and a full course of medicines.

       In Arafat, number of cases of chest and throat infections, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin rashes and muscular pain escalated. They treated over 1000 patients. Hujjaj appreciated the services provided by the World Federation.