The Medical Commission, the sole medical authority that issues medical certificates required for getting a resident permit, is gearing up to handle the huge inflow of applicants by opening a branch in Al Shamal area. Dr Ahmed Naji, the Head of the Medical Commission, at Qatar's National Health Authority, told Al Arab daily, that the Commission is undertaking medical check ups for 2,500 to 2,700 people daily. "We have taken several steps to avoid overcrowding by taking steps like increasing the number of employees by 20 to 30 percent, expansion of premises and increasing the number of registration windows from 20 to 32". Other steps undertaken to ease overcrowding is persuading companies to book a date for the medical check ups of their employees. Companies are allowed to have the check ups done for a maximum of five employees without booking a date. To address the large inflow of people, sometimes numbering about 3,000 in a day, the Medical Commission is planning to open a branch in the Al Shamal locality. "We have already rented three villas in Al Khor that will serve companies. The new set up will have the capacity of receiving 1,500 applicants daily. The branch will be ready for operation in six months if the formalities are completed smoothly." Free medical tests at Hamad Hospital today DOHA • Free medical tests for cardiac diseases will take place at the Hamad General Hospital (HGH) premises today as part of the World Heart Day celebrations. Screening for blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol etc have been offered for the public free at the Cardiac Risk Assessment Clinic being set up at the HGH main lobby. Similar tests will be conducted today at the Cardiology Clinic for patients during the working hours. A series of events have been planned to mark the World Heart Day, organised jointly by the Hamad Medical Corporation, (HMC), National Health Authority and Qatar Diabetes Association. The campaign themed 'Know Your Risk" seeks to help people better understand their personal risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. A quiz focusing on "heart health" is to take place tomorrow for HMC staff at the hospital wards. The College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CAN-Q) will also join the celebrations with a Campus Healthy Lifestyle Fair, also being held tomorrow. The Pen

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