By Syma Sayyah, Tehran

As part of my work for Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation (PKCF), I have come to know many interesting people and places.   As the Iranian New Year approaches, I am writing these so that Payvand readers can learn how much good work is being done by good people who think of others and try to help them without asking for anything.   The will to do good is a true Iranian characteristic which is still thankfully at large and at least some of those less fortunate and in need benefit from these admirable ongoing deeds. 

Part II:  Darmangahe (Clinic) Ghadir Khoum

On a hectic sunny Saturday morning a few weeks before Norouz, I visited the Darmangah Kahyrieh Ghadir Khum - a very busy clinic in the south of Tehran.  I met Dr Nassery who runs the clinic from 8-8.  This Dr Nassery is the nephew of Dr Nassery who first helped to build this with the help of many gentlemen who are followers of the Imam Ali light and tradition.

Fifteen years ago, the late Dr Nassery donated (vagheff) the land for a hossienieh, which we were told is less strict than a mosque especially in relation to women and the top floor became a clinic to take care of people and especially the needy.  The trustees of the clinic are all family members including the sons and daughter of the late Dr Nassery, who are all very active and follow the clinic progress attentively. Any financial deficit usually has to be covered by the trustees.

The clinic is located at Ghasser Dasht, between Mallek Aashtar and Mortazavie streets.  On average there are about 300-400 patients a day during the 16 hours that they are open.

The clinic is mainly an outpatient clinic and beside a general practitioner, and simple surgery, there are endoscope, dentistry, women, family planning, gynecology, eye, oncology and homology, general surgery, skin, ear, eye and throat, children, heart and orthopedic and healthy eating departments.

Almost all private insurances are accepted and the charges are based on the governments general guide lines.  However, the clinic has a welfare sector for those who are of low income.  Under this system they are given a code on their registration form which comes up every time they come to the clinic and no fee is taken from them for the services they receive.  The trustees also provide some food and even cash to needy families in the area on a regular basis.  The clinic has special relations with other organizations and sends them patients who need further treatment or operations to help regain their health as economically as possible.

We were shown all the rooms and met some of the staff and doctors who were working at the time.  The clinic is highly computerized and their filing system was one of the best I have ever seen in Iran.

Darmangah Kahyrieh Ghadir Khum

Ghasser Dasht, between Mallek Aashtar and Mortazavie

Tehran

Tel.    66833465

Fax:   66370111