Medical camp by Bahrain Embassy, Sri Lanka Engineers Society, American Mission Hospital marks Vesak

The American Mission Hospital based in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka Engineers Society (SLES), in close association with and patronage of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, conducted a mega medical clinic and camp at the Embassy premises to coincide with the Vesak Ceremony. Ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis stated that well over 300 Sri Lankan expatriates domiciled in the Kingdom of Bahrain visited the Embassy to obtain medical, dental and eye, breast cancer screening and clinical services, among others, from specialised doctors and trained clinicians from the renowned American Mission Hospital in Bahrain. The most sought after medical service was the Breast Cancer Screening, which nearly 200 females participated. A couple of highly trained female clinicians with the expertise of detecting any unusual development or growth in breasts were detailed by the AMH. 

The American Mission Hospital in Bahrain was the first-ever full-fledged modern medical facility to be established in the Kingdom of Bahrain as far back as in 1903 and has the unique Post Box Number of digit One. 

The President of Sri Lanka Engineering Society in Bahrain (SLES), Eng. Vijitha Pathirana and Executive Members of SLES, initiated this selfless and humanitarian service along with the American Mission Hospital (AMH) and the Embassy in order to extend medical and clinical services and other medical tests and examinations to all Sri Lankan nationals including the less privileged Sri Lankans in Bahrain on the month of Vesak. 

The opening remarks were made by Eng. Ravi De Silva, Professional Development Secretary of SLES, highlighted the vitality and criticality of one’s health and well-being and Senior Physician of AMH, Dr. Vikas Somarajan, illustrated the visitors and patients of the various aspects of health related sicknesses and diseases and how to detect or avert them, among others. Ambassador Dr. Saj Mendis also enunciated the fact that regular medical check-ups, at least once in six months, is critically important since any sickness or condition be it high/low blood pressure, diabetes, complications related to cardiology, lungs and kidneys to even cancer can be detected at a burgeoning and early stage, thus enabling to obtain appropriate and germane medical treatment. The President, Eng. Vijitha Pathirana of SLES, and Head of Chancery of the Mission, and Sandun Liyanwila, echoed similar sentiments and views regarding the medical camp, in their respective addresses.  

The American Mission Hospital is one of the state-of-the-art medical facilities not only in Bahrain but also in the region of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and is considered quite costly and very select. The American Mission Hospital brought all the necessary equipment and gear, paraphernalia and medication as well as staff consisting of medical specialists, clinicians, dieticians and nurses as a part of its CSR program. The highly trained staff of the hospital examined the patients, and prescribed medication and suggested further tests if necessary as well as conducted medical lectures and discussions on various health related issues and themes including a comprehensive lecture by the Senior Dietician of AMH, thus educating and enlightening the Sri Lankan expatriates at the premises of Embassy. 

All persons who participated in the medical clinic were handed over detailed medical reports, which they could use with AMH or at any other medical facility or clinic. The medical clinic commenced at around 9 in the morning and concluded at around 5 in the evening. The large number of persons who visited the Embassy to obtain the medical services was greeted with refreshments and soft drinks provided on complimentary basis by Brian Joseph and staff of Al-Manzil Hotel in Manama. 

The American Mission Hospital suggested that it would be keen to conduct the aforementioned medical clinic, in association with Sri Lankan Associations at the Embassy, more regularly as it benefits the Sri Lankan expatriate populace at large. For record, this was the third occasion that the medical clinic was conducted by the Embassy, in association with SLES and AMH, to mark the Vesak celebrations.