Date:18/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071860280400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Hyderabadi doctor helping out illegal Gulf immigrants

She provides them with food, medicare and even free tickets

HYDERABAD: Finding generous donors eager to lend-a-hand to illegal immigrants from the State caught in a vicious struggle for survival in Dubai are few and far between, says Dr. D. Shashikala, the Hyderabadi doctor, who has taken up the onerous task of providing food, medicare and even free air tickets to them in Dubai.

Since amnesty was announced last year, hundreds of poor and sick illegal immigrants have been knocking at the doors of Al Misbah Medical Centre, a polyclinic in Dubai run by Dr. Shashikala. “We are helping in whatever way we could but the numbers are ever increasing. Despite financial limitations, we have helped purchase 400 to 500 air tickets for A.P workers to come back,” Dr. Shashikala informed media persons on Thursday.

Building support

To bolster support to meet the escalating medical and food expenses for the sick, Dr. Shashikala met Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who, according to her, reacted positively to her pleas.

The doctor informed that she is trying to drum-up support for the cause from private sector.

“It’s tough to find genuine donors wanting to help immigrants. The local Gulf population and corporate companies have been doing their bit. The number of immigrants needing support is increasing by the day,” she informed.

Common ailments

On a daily basis, Dr. Shashikala said that food is cooked for about 50 to 100 poor and sick immigrants at her house. “The most common ailments are TB and HIV. Lack of work is leading to depression and suicides among workers from Andhra Pradesh. Local hospitals are costly and they avoid going there where they have to suffer silently,” she informed.

According to her, several persons from the State are languishing in UAE jails. “We receive so many phone calls from them for help. Out of desperation they call us, but we have financial constraints. We need pragmatic persons willing to help such people,” she said.

For inquiries contact Dr. Shahikala at: 98498-4999 (local), 009714-3975660 (office in Dubai), 0097150-3592608 (Dubai cell), email: dr.shashikala@yahoo.com