It is for the first time any masjid has offered such a huge space (1,000 square feet area) for such a facility. Image Courtesy: Times of India HYDERABAD: In a first, a mosque in Hyderabad has been turned into a primary health center in a working-class dominated area of the Old City of Hyderabad for people of all religions. The Masjid-e-Ishaq mosque is providing healthcare facilities to about roughly 1.5 lakh population mostly slum dwellers in the vicinity, irrespective of their religion, with the help of NGO Helping Hand Foundation. Speaking to ANI, Mujtaba Askari, the Managing Trustee of Helping Hand Foundation, said that they were very particular while choosing the area in which the health care center is to be set up, as they wanted it to be in the heart of the slum so that the poor can get the maximum benefit. “The mosque is surrounded by around nine slum areas and the population of the area would be more than 1.5 lakh. The main concept behind this is that we want to treat the patients who are unaware to different government health centers,” Mr Askari said. He said that the initiative has gained a positive response and around 40 to 50 people avail treatment every day. “The primary health centre will provide referral link to State hospitals. Likewise, basic primary and home care including free diagnostics, vitals, performing CPR, Wound Management, Maternal Care and Physiotherapy too will be offered,” said Askari. It is for the first time any masjid has offered such a huge space (1,000 square feet area) for such a facility. Transport facilities are also being provided to the poor if required. “Working in the health sector for the last 13 years, we are spread across 30 hospitals and have our voluntary support staff working there. We study patients and based on their health needs, send them to hospitals. We arrange their transport and bear expenses,” said Fareed, the manager of the NGO. With agencies inputs

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