Low-cost care for labourers without cover

When Sri Nawas, a 38-year-old Indian construction worker, walked into Karama Medical Centre (KMC) clinic near his camp in Al Quoz to treat an abscess on his right cheek, he was worried about the charges. Around noon, the father of two who is from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh was given a 2-cm incision to drain the pus. His total bill: Dh140, including consultation. Antibiotics good for seven days were given for free. Mainstream hospitals in Dubai would have charged him up to 10 times more. "I'm just relieved this problem is over," said Sri Nawas who has no medical insurance - a situation faced by up to 70 per cent of Dubai workers. His doctor, Dr Ashifa Noushad Ali, said Sri Nawas can also have a free follow-up consultation after a day. From / Gulf News