MUSCAT: Apollo Hospitals, Sultanate of Oman partnered in healthcare with Zakat Committee in Muttrah as they held activities for children at Lulu in Ruwi. Zakat committee of Muttrah is from the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
“We look after the needy people in Muttrah starting from Riyam park until all the way till Qurum. This is a government committee,” explained Abdulzahraa bin Hassan al Lawati, Head of the Collection Committee, Zakat Committee in Muttrah.
The Zakat committees for all the wilayats were created under the order of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
Schoolchildren paraded through the mall dressed in traditional clothes chanting versus from the holy Quran and Hadheed.
Apollo Hospitals, Sultanate of Oman was the health partner and all the children gathered received a free dental check up and physical examination. This year Apollo has steered the regular corporate activities towards corporate social responsibility with a series of initiatives taking health care into the Society.
“Apollo Hospitals have been spear heading series of wellness programmed in different social clubs, corporate, schools and colleges contributing towards developing a healthy country.
We strongly believe that healthy children develop a healthy country and we are more than happy to cooperate with the initiative of Zakat Committee of Muttrah and especially this event for children,” said Shobha P K, COO Apollo Hospitals, Sultanate of Oman.
Dental surgeon from Apollo, Dr Praveen Gopalan Purushothaman said common dental problems seen in children are tooth decay, Malocculusions, fluorosis and gum diseases with reasons varying from poor oral hygiene and high sugar and low fiber diet. These are the main causative factors of tooth decay.
The committee had also arranged goodies and food for the participating children and henna for visitors.
“This is a special day for children traditionally observed in the middle of Ramadhan — Qaranqasho. They are also getting free physical and dental screening from Apollo Hospitals, Sultanate of Oman. This event has become possible and made so colourful only because of so many hands that have come together,” said Abdulzahraa.
He said there are children who have lost their mothers or fathers and the message that is being conveyed is, “You are not alone, we are here.”
“We’re telling them not to worry as we are here as mothers and fathers to fulfil their needs. We are also there to help them in education,” he pointed out.
This was also an opportunity for the public to learn on ways to contribute and the impact their contribution can have.
“The public can contribute with how much ever they want to the committee to fulfil the needs of the children. I think we need them more than they need us because of the benefits of the prayers in return.
Because you can feel the happiness that comes from within you. We request everyone to use this once in a year opportunity,” he explained.
The bank account numbers are available, and the members are also visiting the company heads and chairpersons and the request is not to close the doors.
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