OUR FOUNDING TEAM
Dr. Anwar Mohamed
Dr. Anwar Mohamed, is a general practitioner whose professional journey began in 1997 in the emergency department at shukapuram hospital in Kerala, India, currently he practices as the general practitioner at Qatar red crescent where he's known as the most compassionate and jovial Doctor, he has been in Qatar since 2013. Apart from his professional commitments Dr. Anwar enjoys spending time with people, helping build networks and is a motivator and inspiration to many, he is the vice president of Indian Doctors Club Qatar. Dr. Anwar believes that an open mind is essential for mental fitness, and he believes people need to vent out their feelings to experience better living, He wishes to make mental fitness accessible and available to all those who will benefit from it.
Dr. Riny Showkath
Riny K Showkath, is a doctor by profession, with more than two decades of experience in the field of medicine. Before starting her service in Qatar in 2013, she was practicing in Kerala, a southern state of India. Currently attached with Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services, as specialist in Family Medicine. She is also an enthusiastic member of Indian Doctors Club Qatar, which under the aegis of Indian embassy, has been actively involved in providing healthcare services to the people of Qatar. She’s committed to her profession, a dedicated social worker and always willing to lend a helping hand to the needy. Her personal experiences inspired her to search ways of creating platform to provide awareness about mental fitness to the society. She believes that this is a global issue which need immediate attention. Hence, she got connected to like minded people in building up a team dedicated to provide service to the people in need and help them find solace and solutions, which in turn will help in building up a healthy society.
Shasanth Moothedath
Shasanth Moothedath is a professional marketer, but believes marketers should take up responsibility to spread ideas that uplift society. He is a marketing practitioner since 2004 and currently serves as Partner in Stellar Innovation, he has served various multinational companies in the region. He lives in Qatar since 2010 with his Wife, Daughter and son, hailing from India he has lived in UAE for most of his schooling and forming years. He believes mental fitness is as important as physical health but not enough attention is being given to it, he is excited to part of this enthusiastic team that he believes will make a dent in the fabric of society, when it comes to spreading the message of mental fitness.
Dr. Saibu George
Dr Saibu George is a Consultant Intensivist at HMC, Qatar and Assistant professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar. Following his graduation in Medicine from Plovdiv university, Bulgaria ; he pursued residency with Board certification in medicine with MRCP and FRCP and critical care fellowship with European board certification. He is very passionate about medical education and the is director of multiple workshops for residency and fellowships courses at HMC. He has received the multiple best teacher award consecutively during his career from both HMC and WCMC-Q. Dr Saibu is the general secretary of the Indian Doctors club ,Qatar . Through this platform he has been involved in several community projects. During COVID -19, he was a focal point in providing medical advise and counselling to the Indian community in Qatar. He is a strong advocate of positive reinforcement and joy at work. Best Friends is an initiative that empowers every individual to achieve their full potential at a personal , professional and community level . It has the potential to infiltrate every aspect of the society to create joy in all minds.
Dr. Merlin Mary Thomas
Dr Merlin Thomas is a Consultant Pulmonologist HMC, Qatar and Assistant professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College , Qatar. She graduated Medicine from Amrita University, India following which she pursued residency and fellowship. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and MRCP and FRCP certified in Medicine and pulmonary medicine. She ‘s the co-lead for Adult cystic fibrosis and Lung transplant program in Qatar. She’s a keen clinical researcher with multiple research grants and publications and a recipient of multiple awards in research and quality improvement . She is very passionate about creating platforms to ensure easy access to the right healthcare. Empowering individuals with tools for a better quality of life, be it physical, psychological or emotional is key to a brighter tomorrow. “Best Friends” is a timely initiative and yet another arsenal in achieving a healthy community through a network of volunteers geared towards mental fitness.
Dr. Nadeer Pallimooppan
Dr Nadeer Pallimooppan is a General Practitioner currently working with the Qatar Red Crescent Society . Originally from Kerala, India, his formative years were spent in UAE, India and in Russia where he had his formal medical education. He has been working in Qatar since 2010. He is a strong advocate of having a sound mind to cater to the day today challenges of our daily grind. He firmly believes that more can be done to educate and empower the community about mental wellbeing and why it is important in the first place. He is wholehearted committed in helping and educating the society in this regard
Dr. Soni C Das
Dr.Soni C Das, a dermatologist by profession with special interest in psycho dermatology. He started his job at Qatar Red Crescent as a dermatologist in the year 2018, after serving in his country for almost a decade. He is kind, compassionate and generous with a great sense of humor. He believes happiness is the key for building a healthy society and every problem comes with solution. He makes the best of friends, making him an apt person for this noble cause. He is a sports enthusiast and has great interest in cultural activities. Since his youth, he was involved in activities, helping building a better society. He always wanted to serve the humanity in all possible ways and hence enthusiastically looking forward to be a part of the ‘Best Friends’ initiative and help people to attain health and happiness.
Dr. Mahesh Menon
Dr.Mahesh Menon, an Orthodontist by profession with special interest in Ortho Cosmetic correction of the dentofacial area, teeth and the jaw bones. He started his job recently in Qatar at Allevia Medical Center , Al Mashaf as an Orthodontist from Feb 2022, after serving in his country for almost a decade. He believes humanity and protecting our very mother nature comes above all, and whatever small or big, efforts should always define the very concept, and remains the only key for keeping ourselves and the world around us to be happy and healthy. Solutions are always written in the history , the way the problems are and were created. Accept the fact that nothing is new, just sail it through the right way, is the only justice we can do with a sense of touch and compatability. He is a cultural and sports enthusiast and has always been involved in trying to help, address and eliminate the root causes and problems of the society as a team, for making the world a better place to live. Once again, looking forward to be part of the initiative 'Best Friend', an oath to heal the world and the society around in the best possible way, thanking IDC for giving such an opportunity.
Dr. Sudeep Sethumadhavan
Dr. Sudeep Sethumadhavan is a medical doctor from Kerala, India. He works at Qatar Red Crescent medical centre since 2012 as an associate in Family medicine. Being a doctor who works at an institution which takes care of health issues of male single workers in Qatar, he has deep knowledge about the mental, physical and social issues faced by the members of this community. As a member of "Best Friend" initiative, he believes that this is a great platform for all of us to come together and help each other to achieve the goal of mental fitness and live a happy life.
Rejil Jacob
Rejil Jacob, a seasoned Healthcare Professional with 2 decades of experience in managing medical services on a global scale- creating relationship with overseas clients and strategic partners allowing medical services that needs to be delivered in GCC & India. Presently working as Sr. Manager - International Relations with DSM Healthcare, a group which has 20 years of healthcare experience in Qatar. Lives in Doha for the past 10 years with his family, highly connected with the Indian community in Qatar. Worked as Vice President for Aster Volunteers, a platform has given a great opportunity to volunteer in so many activities and events. Continuing the journey as a Coordinator for Indian Doctors Club, Qatar for the past 8 years, which helped him to build a strong relationship with a group of high profile and talented doctors in Qatar. Being a founder member of Best Friend, he believe mental fitness is one of the important factors for our day to day life. With the launch of Best Friend, he will be the Best Friend for everyone
Hussain
Hussain Pulikkaparambil is a CPD coordinator in HMC Education department for past 26 years. He is very passionate about Education and Health sector. Since he joined HMC he got many opportunities to support people who need favor from health sector also he had coordinated many medical camps, blood donation caps, health awareness class. Lives in Qatar since 1993 with his wife and 2 daughters, hailing from India, Kerala. He is having a strong profile among the doctor’s community in Doha, for past few years. He is an Indian Doctors Club (IDC) event coordinator since 2004 also associated with other organizations. Being part of IDC, he has strengthened a strong relationship between the highly talented doctors in Qatar. He believes that healthy Education can create upcoming future generation with creative inventions and innovative ideas.
Dr. Tisha Rachel
Dr Tisha Rachel Jacob started her profession as a Psychiatrist in Kerala, India. Currently practices in Qatar at Allevia Medical Center, Al Meshaf from March 2022. She was commissioned into the Indian Navy at INHS Sanjivavi naval base Kochi and served as a specialist psychiatrist. She is an expertise on building a strong doctor - patient relationship and thereby enhance the quality of life for the ill . Her areas of expertise includes general adult psychiatry, deaddiction, child and adolescent psychiatry, Geriatric psychiatry, Women's mental health etc. There is no health without mental health. Because of lack of awareness and stigma surrounding mental health issues, people often suffer in silence. As a part of 'Best Friend ' , she believes to improve understanding of mental health conditions in the community and to increase access to health care for those who need it.
Dr. Abdelhamid Afana
Dr. Abdelhamid Afana is a consultant clinical psychologist and Psychotherapist with significant experience in the field of mental health and trauma interventions at both individual, group and community levels. My long and extensive multicultural and Clinical psychosocial experiences are geared towards helping people with psychological and social distress, enabling them to cope with their challenges and restore their psychological balance. Research interest is to investigate how the micro level of health is linked to macro- psychosocial and cultural contextual dimensions of mental health. My teaching philosophy approach is to encourage participants to explore theoretical concepts in health/mental health, their practical applications, and ways to integrate them into practice and research. Through his postdoctoral studies at the Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Dr. Afana investigated the social and cultural representation of traumatic experiences, survival strategies, dynamics of social and various idioms of distress people use as ways of communicating their psychological sufferings based on an explanatory model that is culturally understood and, to varying degrees, accepted. Dr. Afana believes that there is no pill for every psychological pain, and people have the right to express their psychological and emotional suffering using their own cultural vocabularies without being controlled or labeled. These expressions occur in response to specific social and environmental conditions that Shaked their psychological balance, therefore, medicalizing, psychologizing and decontextualizing their expressions hinders individual healing and recovery. Dr. Afana is the former President of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), and member of number of local, regional and international professionals’ bodies. He is familiar with global policy and guidelines regarding mental health reform: participated in the revision of Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package WHO For his remarkable accomplishments, Dr. Afana received various awards and appreciation certificates. Recently her received the Excellence in Medical Education Achievements and Recognizing Leaders in Medical Education Award, HMC, Doha, Qatar. In addition to his wide and broad clinical experiences, Dr. Afana Designs training courses for health and allied professionals in various mental health fields. He also does qualitative and quantitative research in mental health, has substantial publications in field of trauma, torture, mental health and primary health care fields.