The Jeddah Stop TB group has called upon medical professionals who wish to volunteer their time to help those affected by the floods that ravaged sections of the city last Wednesday to gather at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health. The group, which has thus far mobilized more than 400 medical volunteers, is relying upon the Internet for communications.
“We are collecting medical volunteers and supplies through the call centers we have started in different places. We have mobilized civilians by using Facebook, BlackBerry and other Internet websites. The Ministry of Health (MOH) makes use of the volunteers and supplies according to its emergency plan,” said Mohammad Bakhrieba, the founder of the Stop TB group.
Bakhrieba said that his group is working hand in hand with other civil departments in order to deal with the health crisis that may occur as a result of last week’s floods.
“We are coordinating by hotline with Health Affairs officers in order to make sure that we are not wasting our efforts by duplicating work that they have already done. We have provided the MOH with trucks that can be used as mobile health clinics, and I believe we are making a contribution to the improvement of the health of the general public,” he said.
FOUZIA KHAN
Saudi Gazette