Thiruvananthapuram, June 14, 2004
IANS

Members of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka) group settled in the US will provide free medical support to the tune of Rs.450 million ($10 million) for people in their home state.

Norka's chapter in southern US had come forward to provide comprehensive medical help last year as well.

Among the various programmes planned this year are free surgeries at two hospitals, Chettipuzha Hospital in Changanacherry and at the Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital, Thiruvalla.

Giving details, George Abraham from Norka said: "We have planned a five-day medical camp starting Nov 8 at these two hospitals. All those patients who register would be given free plastic surgery in lip ailments.

"There would also be corrective face surgery and surgery for those who suffer from urinary diseases."

The team comprises 45 professionals, including doctors, paramedical staff and technicians.

Apart from the camps, the US-based organisation, along with a charity group called Medical Bridges in Houston, will bring to the state three big containers of medicines and equipment to be given free to seven hospitals in central Kerala.

"Included are three special dialysis machines for treatment of snake bites, portable X-ray machines, instruments and heaters," said Jiji Thomson, Norka secretary.

Also arriving as part of the charity programme is a seven-member delegation of nursing instructors to conduct special classes at several nursing schools in the state.

The programme includes an orientation class on AIDS at 20 colleges by experts and a seminar on the disease in Kottayam for state health department employees.

Last year, the organisation had conducted 116 plastic surgeries at Mandiram Hospital in Puthupally in Kottayam district. It had also taken Akhila, a 12-year-old girl, from Kochi to Houston for a limb replacement surgery.

"This year as well we expect the medical camps to be a huge success, which is why we are announcing the programme months before. This will give enough time for patients and hospitals to plan," said Shaji Kattanam, Norka's representative in Kerala.