By J. Noel Espinoza/RioGrandeInfo

Hundreds of Brownsville residents gathered Saturday at Linear Park for a second annual event that provides free health care checkups, food, and entertainment to people in the city.

Sponsored by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America(APPNA), the event is now part of a new worldwide movement known as the Charter for Compassion, a document that urges people and religions to embrace the value of compassion.

“The reason behind this is to reach people who don’t have health care and who hasn’t seen a doctor,” said Kazim Hussain, a member of APPNA and a doctor who organizes the event in Brownsville. “It means that every year we will do some act of compassion in Brownsville.”

Dr. Hussain said this is the second year APPNA offers health care services that include flu shots, ultrasound and electrocardiogram screenings.

Dr. Hussain said about 700 people attended the event this year in comparison to 500 last year.

The services are geared up to people without health services, the disable, and veterans.

Dr. Hussain said the event is cultural and an opportunity to showcase Pakistani food, music, and dances.

With the help of the City of Brownsville, Cameron County and the Charter for Compassion, Dr. Hussain said APPNA will continue to do this event every year around Oct. 7.