A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investment meet, organised by the Indo-Arab Confederation Council (IACC), here on Friday expressed distress over the rising cost of treatments for severe diseases like cancer and cardiac problems in Kerala.
Representatives of the various NRI forums including the Global Foundation of Pravasi Indian and German Malayalee Association, who attended the meet, said time was up for finding a quick solution on the issue, which would otherwise leave a heavy impact on the lives of economically weaker sections in the society.
Going abroadMinister for Non-Resident Keralites Affairs K.C. Joseph, who opened the meet, said Kerala was currently having a strange trend where efficient doctors were migrating more and more to foreign countries seeking better recognition and job prospects.
“We are compelled to believe that no prophet is accepted in his home town,” he rued.
The Minister, who described Kerala doctors as the best in the national and international medical arena, also said the number of deadly diseases, despite all these credits, were on an increase in the State.
“The quality of treatment has gone up beyond our imagination, but the access of common man to these facilities is still a big issue,” he explained.
Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, who presented the Global Excellence Award-2014 of the association at the function, said there were even instances where small families suffered financial losses, unable to meet the heavy expenses of treatment.
Charity services“The only solace was the personal charity initiatives from some doctors and their efforts in offering low-cost treatment through various innovative programmes,” he said.
Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty presided over the meet.
Aattakoya Pallikkandy, chairman of IACC, welcomed the gathering and introduced the topics for discussion.
AwardThe Global Excellence Award-2014 of the association was also presented on the occasion to Dr. K. Kunhali, head of the Kerala Heart Care Society, for his initiatives in treating cardiac problems without advocating bypass surgery.
