PETALING JAYA - Perinbam Malaysia's first free medical camp on a small football field at Desa Menteri here attracted more than 400 from the Indian community the first three hours it opened.

Perinbam Malaysia is non-governmental organisation established three years ago to improve the welfare of the poor and neglected in the Indian community.

"The camp was manned by 20 medical personnel, including seven doctors and nurses," said Perinbam medical bureau head Dr Chandra Kanth, who is also a doctor at Sungai Buloh Hospital.

Other NGOs such as the National Cancer Council Malaysia (Makna) and the Lions Club provided assistance to make the camp a success.

Makna volunteers taught visitors about early breast cancer detection and handed out flyers on cancer, prevention and treatment.

It brought along its mobile mammogram unit, while the Lions club offered the services of its mobile pap smear unit and Kotra Pharma sponsored the medication.

Among the booths were a registration counter, pharmacy, and dispensary as well as a paediatric booth. Dr Chandra said some of those checked had diabetes, hypertension, gastric ulcers and menopausal bleeding.

Patients with less severe illnesses were referred to Klinik Kesihatan Medan, the nearest government clinic, for follow-up treatments. The more serious ones were referred to Sungai Buloh Hospital and Ampang Hospital.

Dr Chandra said the next camp would be held at the PPR Flats in Setapak next month.

Source: NST